Temperatures expected to peak at 46C as Europe heatwave continues

Temperatures expected to peak at 46C as Europe heatwave continues

A heatwave sweeping southern Europe is continuing to spread with temperatures in the central Mediterranean expected to peak today. 

The Italian island of Sardinia is expected to see a high of 46C this afternoon. Italy has issued extreme heat warnings for a further 10 days across parts of the country. 

The heatwave is also affected Spain, which saw temperatures reach 44C in the south of the country. 

In Germany, doctors have suggested people consider taking a siesta during the hot weather. “When it’s hot, we should be guided by the way southern countries work; getting up early, working productively in the morning and taking a siesta at noon is a concept we should adopt in the summer months,” said Johannes Niessen, who chairs the Federal Association of Public Health Doctors.

Temperatures in Germany have cooled somewhat after peaking over the weekend but it remains very warm. Most parts of the country expect between 25-30C (77-86F) today.

Wildfires have swept the Spanish island of La Palma ad in mainland Greece. 

Beyond Europe, the US and Canada are also suffering with extreme weather. At midnight last night the temperature at a weather station in Death Valley, Arizona was still 49C.