Cerberus heatwave: Southern Europe gripped by severe heat

Cerberus is the name given to the persistent, strong anticyclone currently sat across Southern Europe.

While we’re stuck under a gloomy low thanks to the position of the jet stream, things are very different on the other side.

The anticyclone, or high pressure system in question, is producing record high temperatures and a very intense heatwave across southern Europe.

The highest possible heat alert level has been issued across many areas in Italy, Sicily and Sardinia, with France, Spain and Germany’s alerts also littered amber and yellow.

Temperatures could exceed record highs for Europe as a whole as they soar well into the 40’s Celsius, perhaps as high as 47°C for Sardinia and central and southern Italy inland.

Ground temperatures in Extremadura, Spain also exceeded 60C on 11th July, according to Copernicus.

Even night-time temperatures may not drop below the mid-twenties, or even 30°C in some places. In addition to enormous heat stress, the risk of forest fires will increase rapidly, with local overloads of electricity and water supply expected.

In Italy, the situation is particularly dangerous, given the high elderly population who have been urged to stay indoors. However even being inside offers little respite, with most homes and buildings built without air conditioning.

The Spanish all-time record is currently held at 47.6°C in La Rambla, Cordoba, August 2021, 47.2°C in Floridia, Syracuse, Italy, also August 2021, and 48.0°C in Greece (and overall for Europe) in Elefsina, July 1977.