Britain shivers while Rome burns
THE extreme heatwave in Europe is directing low-pressure systems towards the UK and will lead to 55mph gusts and heavy rain over the weekend. A yellow Met Office wind warning was in place across south-west England and Wales until last night, with another one covering large swathes of central and southern England starting this morning. Delays to road, rail, air and ferry transport are expected, as well as potential power cuts, large waves and damage to trees.
Forecasters believe the Cerberus heatwave – named after the threeheaded monster from Dante’s Inferno – which has taken hold across holiday hotspots in the Mediterranean, could be behind the wet and windy weather.
Extreme heat meant the Acropolis in Athens was shut temporarily yesterday after tourists were stretchered out.
Red Cross staff handed out bottled water as temperatures were expected to peak above 40C in the Greek capital.
A second deadly heatwave is set to hit Europe next week as a fresh patch of extreme hot weather called Charon is set to pass into southern Europe.
Temperatures are forecast to rise to 43C in Rome and up to 47C in the Italian island of Sardinia.
As part of the current low-pressure system over the UK, a “band of persistent rain” and strong gusts will move across the country.
Forecaster Alex Deakin said: “We’ll be watching heavy showers zipping through on the gusty winds but those winds could cause some problems.”
Sunday is expected to be less windy but showers will continue for parts of northern England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, with a risk of thunder.