High with serious consequences for southern Europe: Hellhound “Cerberus” is heating up the Mediterranean

class=”sc-29f61514-0 fQbOYE”>

In Greek mythology, the terrifying three-headed hellhound Cerberus guards Hades. This week, however, Cerberus is bringing midsummer temperatures to the Mediterranean. Because that’s the name of the high pressure area that is currently pushing up from Africa towards southern and southeastern Europe.

An up-to-date satellite map from the European Space Agency shows the Swiss’ favorite holiday destinations in a deep red hue. The Earth observers write in a statement: “Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland are all experiencing a major heat wave, with temperatures reaching around 48 degrees Celsius on the islands of Sicily and Sardinia – possibly the highest temperatures ever recorded in Europe. . were measured.”

The satellite experts refer to the surface temperatures. Means: Cerberus heats the floors powerfully. The highest surface temperature ever recorded of 48.8 degrees was recorded on August 11, 2021 in the Italian city of Floridia in the Sicily region.

Cooling mud against the heat

However, weather expert Klaus Marquardt notes in an interview with Blick: “You have to distinguish between the surface temperature and the temperature in the air. The temperature of the land surface is often higher than that of the air.” So a ground temperature of 48 degrees does not mean that it is also 48 degrees in the air. Nevertheless, tourists and residents of Sardinia, Sicily, Mallorca and Co. will probably find the feel heat.

Like in Greece: several tourists suffered a heat stroke there on Thursday. The Ministry of Culture has instructed the managers of archaeological sites such as the Acropolis to close the popular visitor magnets for a few hours if necessary if it gets too hot.

In Italy, the Ministry of Health has issued the highest red alert for heat in several cities. Temperatures in Spain have been rising to 45 degrees for days.

Meanwhile, people in the Balkans are getting creative with the heat. They rub themselves with cooling mud.

Thunderstorms cause heat relaxation in Switzerland

Marquardt expects the Mediterranean region to suffer from the heat for a long time to come – “at least until the last week of July”. He advises Swiss people on holiday on the Mediterranean to seek shade and not to stand in the blazing sun for too long. Walking barefoot on the heated floor can be very uncomfortable and in extreme cases lead to injuries.

And how does Cerberus affect Switzerland? “The weather remains midsummer. Temperatures are widespread at 30 degrees, in and around Chur the thermometer can also rise to 35 to 36 degrees with a foehn on Saturday,” the meteorologist replies. Again and again, however, thunderstorms provide relief from the heat – such as on the night before next Sunday. In Ticino it will remain warm for the coming week.

Source: Blick