The historic city of Milan experienced its hottest day in recorded history on August 23 as a relentless heatwave, which had been simmering since mid-August, culminated in a scorching average daily temperature of 33 degrees Celsius. The record-breaking temperature was confirmed by the Regional Environmental Protection Agency (ARPA) on August 25, marking a significant milestone in weather history.
This historic high surpassed Milan's previous record of 32.8 degrees Celsius, which was set on August 11, 2003. The temperature spike was particularly noteworthy as it marked the highest average daily temperature since the inception of temperature records at the Milano Brera weather station back in 1763.
Italy, along with much of southern Europe, has been grappling with an intense heatwave that has led to soaring temperatures, fueling devastating wildfires, triggering health advisories, and disrupting travel plans for tourists. The capital city of Rome, in July, recorded an unprecedented peak temperature of 41.8 degrees Celsius, underscoring the severity of the heatwave.
As per ARPA, August 23 and 24 emerged as the hottest days of the summer across Lombardy, the region encompassing Milan. A number of towns in the Lombardy region witnessed temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius, contributing to the discomfort of residents and posing serious challenges for local authorities.
The heatwave's impact was felt beyond urban areas. Even the normally cooler Italian Alps experienced what ARPA described as "intense and abnormal" temperatures, further highlighting the far-reaching consequences of this extreme weather event.
However, relief is in sight as the heatwave is anticipated to give way to a dramatic change in weather conditions. ARPA stated that heavy thunderstorms are on the horizon, accompanied by a substantial drop in temperatures by as much as 10 to 15 degrees Celsius during the early days of the upcoming week.
As the world grapples with increasingly frequent and intense heatwaves due to global climate change, these temperature records serve as a stark reminder of the urgent need for concerted efforts to mitigate its impacts and transition towards more sustainable practices. The events in Milan and other parts of Europe stand as an alarming testament to the growing influence of changing climate patterns on our daily lives.
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