'Cerberus' heatwave brings searing temperatures to Europe with Italy set to surpass highs of 45C
11 July 2023, 10:50 | Updated: 11 July 2023, 13:15
A fierce heatwave is set to sweep the continent this week, with Italy expected to break a European record amid the scorching temperatures.
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Italy is forecast to surpass 45C in coming days as an anticyclone - named Cerberus - causes temperatures to soar.
Sicily and Sardinia are predicted to face the worst of the extreme conditions, reaching highs of 47-48C.
The record for the highest temperature in European history was previously broken in August 2021, when 48C was recorded in Floridia in Sicily.
Prof Luca Mercalli, the president of the Italian Meteorological Society, said: "We know that there will be temperatures above 40C or 45C.
"We could get close to the record. Either way, the levels will be very high."
The extreme temperatures are expected to last for about two weeks in central and southern parts of Italy.
Read More: Ten more days of rain: Met Office reveals exact date sunshine will return to UK
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🏖️ Are you off on your summer holiday soon?
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 10, 2023
⚠️ Heatwave conditions will extend across more areas of southern Europe and North Africa this week, with unusually high temperatures in places like the Canary Islands pic.twitter.com/a0bqFeo717
It is no coincidence that the anticyclone has been named after Cerberus, the three-headed dog from Greek mythology that guards the gates to the underworld.
"Metaphorically, the three heads indicate the three main climatic zones into which Italy will be divided," meteorologist Stefano Rossi told Italian outlet La Stampa.
A heatwave is also sweeping across France, Germany, Spain and Poland.
Temperatures are expected to reach 44C in some southern parts of Spain, with the Red Cross warning people to take extra care.
Wondering where summer has gone?
— Met Office (@metoffice) July 10, 2023
Our changeable weather is mostly thanks to a southerly displaced jet stream, and indications are that this will continue to dictate our weather into the second part of July pic.twitter.com/5I7e1Y9abz
Meanwhile, Brits are expected to have to wait until later in the month to see the return of the warm weather.
Heavy rain and thunderstorms are set to continue to at least July 23, but then a two-week heatwave is forecast to hit, reaching highs of 40C.
Swarms of flying ants have also been spotted on and around the south coast of England in recent days.
Met Office forecaster Simon Partridge said: "Every year around this time we do pick them up on the rain radar. At the moment it’s harder to tell because we’ve got so many showers and the ants look like showers.
"When we do get the rain, they don’t fly as much. It’s generally the southern parts of the UK where we tend to notice it most."
