Anticyclone paralyzes Italy. The streets are deserted, the hospitals have no more seats

Italy found itself in the grip of a powerful anticyclone from above Africa, which turned the Apenin Peninsula into a red-hot crucible. Temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius, standing, humid air and cloudless sky became everyday, leading to paralysis of public and economical life. The streets of the largest cities, specified as Rome, Naples or Milan, are ravaged in the south, and Italian medical services are beating the alarm – hospitals in many regions are overflowing, and the number of interventions related to thermal strokes is expanding avalanchely. This is no longer just a heat wave, but a crisis that tests the resilience of the state and its citizens.

The situation is so serious that local authorities in the following regions issue red weather alerts, calling on residents to stay home and avoid any outside activity at the hottest time of the day. Seniors, children and people with chronic diseases are the most vulnerable. Unfortunately, weather forecasts do not give hope for fast improvement. Experts inform that the current heat wave can persist for many consecutive days, and even extend to the beginning of August, which puts in question not only wellness safety but besides the stableness of key sectors of the economy.

"Standing air and heat pouring from the sky". What is an African anticyclone?

The phenomenon that now paralyzes Italy is not typical summertime weather. We are dealing with a powerful and most importantly stationary anticyclone, or advanced force system. Its center, carrying tropical air masses consecutive from Africa, blocked over the Mediterranean basin. As a result, air traffic almost completely disappeared over the country. No wind means that hot air is not distracted, and accumulates at the surface of the earth, creating the effect of ‘heat dome’.

High humidity is an additional origin that enhances the feeling of heat. Under specified conditions, the human body has a importantly impaired ability to thermoregulation by sweating. Pot does not evaporate so effectively from the surface of the skin, which leads to faster overheating. It is precisely a combination of highly advanced temperature, no wind and advanced humidity that makes the current situation so dangerous. Cities turn into concrete islands of heatwhere asphalt and walls of buildings at night give accumulated heat during the day, preventing any remainder from heat.

Meteorologists emphasize that the key problem is the long-term sustainability of the phenomenon. While short, few-day heat waves are standard in Italy, the current anticyclone has persisted for many days and there is no indication of its imminent weakening. This leads to an accumulation of negative effects on both human wellness and the full state infrastructure.

Public wellness on the edge. Hospitals and emergency services under large pressure

The wellness care strategy in Italy is on the verge of productivity. regular emergency reports are dramatic. Service reports a sharp increase in calls to people with symptoms of heat stroke, severe dehydration, fainting and cardiological problems aggravated by utmost conditions. Many hospitals, especially in the confederate and central regions of the country, are moving out of places in ICUs and reflection rooms.

The Italian civilian defence (Protezione Civile) and the Ministry of wellness launched information campaigns calling for peculiar care. The main recommendations are:

• Avoiding leaving the home from 11:00 to 6:00.
• Drinking quite a few water, even if you're not thirsty.
• Limiting physical effort to absolute minimum.
• Wearing light, breathable clothing and headgear.
• Searching for shelter in air-conditioned public places specified as libraries or buying malls.

Unfortunately, not everyone has access to air conditioning, which is becoming a serious social problem. any cities organize peculiar aid points where you can cool down and drink water. Despite this, the situation remains critical. Doctors inform that all day with temperatures above 40°C is simply a increasing hazard of death, especially among the most susceptible population.

The economy is melting in heat. Endangered agriculture, tourism and energy

Extreme heat strikes not only health, but besides the blood circulation of the Italian economy. Energy is 1 of the first sectors to be affected. Mass usage of air conditioners in homes, offices and industrial plants led to record electricity demand. Transmission networks are overloaded, which in any smaller towns has already caused power outages.

Equally serious problems affect agriculture. Long-term drought and utmost temperatures destruct crops. Vine plantations, olive groves and citrus orchards – pillars of Italian agricultural exports are most affected. The losses are already estimated at millions of euros and farmers are alerting that if the situation does not change, this year's harvest may be among the worst in years. In consequence to the water crisis, Local authorities are considering introducing temporary restrictions on water consumptionwhich would besides hit agriculture.

The tourism sector, which hoped to be reflected after the pandemic, was besides in a hard situation. Although tourists proceed to arrive, complaints about conditions preventing visitors from visiting are increasing. Travel agencies evidence an expanding number of cancellations for the second half of July and August. Tourists who have decided to come, reduce their stays or change their plans, giving up visiting cities on the coast, which, however, besides does not offer full relief.

Forecasts don't give you hope. What does this mean for Poles planning a vacation?

Unfortunately, the latest synoptic forecasts leave no illusions. A powerful anticyclone will keep its position over Italy for at least a fewer consecutive days. Worse still, any weather models indicate that extreme conditions can last even until early August. This means that Italy is facing the possible of 1 of the hottest and most hard summertime periods in the past of measurements.

For Poles who plan vacation in Italy in the close future, the situation requires peculiar care. Local authorities’ communications and weather forecasts must be clearly monitored. Prepare for utmost conditions: booking accommodation with air conditioning becomes an absolute necessity, not a luxury. Plans to research cities like Rome and Florence in the mediate of the day are unrealistic and dangerous. Activities should be planned for early mornings or late evenings.

The current crisis in Italy is more than just a weather anomaly. This is simply a powerful informing signal, showing how climate change can paralyze a modern state in practice. Italian drama is becoming a lesson to Europe as a whole, which must prepare its infrastructure and wellness systems for always more frequent and intense heat waves.