The heat wave continues over Italy. The highest readings are expected on the weekend, and red heat alerts have been issued in some cities. As Italian road workers predict, the high temperature will be particularly troublesome for motorists – the map of the country has been marked in black, heralding massive traffic jams.
Anticyclone Charon, which has been in the Mediterranean for weeks, is expected to bring temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius on Saturday and Sunday. The hottest regions of the country, including Sicily, are expected to be the hottest, but not only that – the capital region of Lazio will also experience oppressive heat. According to local media, this could be the hottest weekend of the year so far.
Italy's health ministry has issued heat alerts in parts of the country. On Friday, the highest, red alert level was in effect in seven cities, including Rome, Palermo and Perugia. On Saturday, nine cities will be in effect, and on Sunday, an alert will be issued in 14 locations, including Genoa, Naples and Verona.
Hellish conditions for drivers
High thermometer readings can be particularly dangerous on the roads. Highway and road managers and police in Italy have announced that from Friday there will be the highest traffic intensity in the country this year. Due to the long weekend and the holiday on August 15, the period of mass vacations begins.
The road map of Italy has been marked in black, which means there is a risk of massive traffic jams, especially on the sections of the roads leading from the big cities and towards the holiday resorts. The heaviest traffic is expected on the motorway towards the regions of Campania, Basilicata and Calabria, in Sicily on the section between Palermo and Catania and on the roads in the area of Rome and the surrounding seaside resorts.
Forecasts say that the heat wave will be accompanied by high humidity. The oppressive, muggy weather may last until August 15.
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