Heat wave in Italy: Drivers fight against melting asphalt!

Heat wave in Italy: Drivers fight against melting asphalt!

In northern Italy, a current heatwave is affecting traffic and public health. With temperatures reaching 41 degrees Celsius and averages of around 35 degrees, the region is experiencing extreme weather conditions that are already putting strain on the infrastructure. Toll booths on the A4 motorway between Verona South and Verona East had to be temporarily closed due to deformation of the road surface. These deformations are a direct result of the high temperatures that melt the asphalt and endanger the safety of drivers. However, after a few hours the access roads were reopened to restore traffic flow. The situation remains particularly problematic between Montebello Vicentino and Sommacampagna, where traffic jams stretching for more than 30 kilometers because a lane in the direction of Milan was closed for safety reasons, report Focus.

The region is currently experiencing unusually high temperatures caused by an area of ​​high pressure originating from North Africa. Particularly in the interior regions of Sardinia, Sicily and central Italy, highs above 39 degrees Celsius are recorded, as are also in Florence and Rome. In the mountains the zero temperature limit was raised to over 4,500 meters, while on the Marmolada, the highest mountain in the Dolomites, plus temperatures were recorded at 3,343 meters. Meteorologists expect a change in the weather from next weekend with a low pressure area from northern Europe that could bring strong thunderstorms, hail and heavy rain, which should lead to a noticeable cooling in northern Italy, as Vienna reports.

Health effects of the heat wave

The extreme temperatures are leading to an increase in heat-related emergency room visits in hospitals, particularly at Policlinico Gemelli in Rome, where about 20 percent of patients are treated for heat-related ailments. Older people and patients with cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are most affected. Complaints range from mild dehydration to a drop in blood pressure, but there has been no increase in severe cases compared to last year.

The health risks caused by heat waves should not be underestimated. According to the [EEA](https://www.eea.europa.eu/de/signale/signale-2023/artikel/ heatwaves-and-other-climate-related-extreme-events), heatwaves represent the greatest direct climate-related threat to health in Europe. Older people, children and people with previous illnesses are particularly at risk. The European population is increasingly at higher risk of heat-related illnesses, as high temperatures have caused increased fatalities in recent years. The regular occurrence of such extreme events has led to the warning to take appropriate adaptation measures and raise awareness among the health service.

Precautions and recommendations

Authorities in Italy advise the population to avoid overexertion and take measures to minimize health risks. Signs of the threatening effects of climate change, such as heat waves, go hand in hand with the fact that the summer months in Europe are increasingly characterized by high temperatures. These shifts in climate patterns require those responsible to rethink and make targeted adjustments.

In summary, the current heat wave in northern Italy is a sign of the challenges posed by extreme climatic conditions. Travelers are being warned to be careful when planning their summer vacation, especially to popular destinations such as Sicily or southern France. These developments highlight the need to develop strategies to mitigate climate change impacts at both the individual and policy levels.