Europe’s Extreme Heat Wave

#Heat stress, #heatwaves, #Thermal Comfort, #Urban Heat Island, #Urban Microclimate

Weather warnings, forest fires and melting city pavements are just some of the signs of the extreme heat wave currently sweeping across parts of central and southern Europe. Temperatures are soaring towards 40 degrees Celsius (104 Fahrenheit) in several regions, prompting urgent warnings from authorities.

The impact of the heatwave: From Italy to Romania

From Italy to Romania, officials are urging caution, urging people to drive carefully, stay hydrated and avoid going out during the hottest parts of the day. In Italy, red alerts have been issued in seven cities, including the capital Rome and Trieste. Rome city authorities even launched a digital app to help residents and tourists find public drinking fountains as temperatures reached 38°C (100°F) on Thursday. Similar heat warnings were issued in Croatia, where Dubrovnik recorded 28°C at dawn, with little relief expected overnight. Forest fires have been reported in Albania near the Greek border, as well as in Bosnia and Italy. Greece, facing its highest wildfire risk in two decades, issued warnings for the Athens region and other parts of central Greece.

The role of land cover in temperature variations

The type of soil and land cover has a significant impact on temperature fluctuations during such extreme events. Open ground types, such as clay and sand, often record much higher temperatures than concrete, stone or asphalt surfaces. This is because the latter materials have a greater capacity to absorb and dissipate heat, while open ground retains and amplifies heat, exacerbating the overall warming effect.

Using ENVI-met for heat wave prediction

ENVI-met software provides advanced tools for understanding and predicting the effects of heatwaves on different soil types. Using the sophisticated simulation model, ENVI-met helps to identify potential temperature trends and develop effective strategies to mitigate extreme heat. The software takes into account several factors, including multi-layered soil moisture modelling, heat storage, reflective properties of materials and the effect of vegetation on soil temperature.

Mitigating heat: the way forward

To mitigate the severe effects of extreme heat, it’s essential to implement strategies such as green infrastructure and urban forestry. These measures are essential for cooling urban areas and improving urban comfort. In addition, incorporating reflective or permeable materials into urban structures can further protect the urban ecosystem. The massive heatwave currently affecting Italy, Spain and other parts of Europe underlines the urgent need for innovative solutions and immediate action to tackle the escalating climate crisis. By using tools like ENVI-met and promoting sustainable urban planning strategies, we can better prepare for and mitigate the effects of these extreme weather events, protecting our ecosystems and communities.

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