Italy Faces Storms and Extreme Heat
Italy is currently experiencing very different weather conditions across the country. While some regions face heavy storms, others are dealing with extreme heat.
A new heat wave is set to arrive, mainly affecting central and southern Italy. Forecasters expect temperatures to reach peaks above 40°C in these areas.
The weather situation shows a clear divide between the North and South of the country. The North will remain cooler, while the South faces another period of intense heat.
Because of the rising temperatures, southern cities have brought back red alert warnings. These alerts tell people that the heat could be harmful, especially for older people and children.
Meanwhile, other parts of Italy have seen downpours, sudden and heavy rain that can cause flooding. This mix of storms and heat shows how unstable the weather has become this summer.
Health officials are reminding people to take precautions. They advise drinking plenty of water and avoiding outdoor activity during the hottest part of the day.
This kind of weather pattern, with sharp contrasts between regions, has become more common in recent years, according to meteorologists tracking seasonal changes.
Vocabulary10 words
- heat wave
- a period of many very hot days
- peaks
- the highest points
- red alert
- the highest level of warning
- downpours
- sudden heavy rain
- unstable
- changing often, not steady
- forecasters
- people who predict the weather
- precautions
- actions taken to prevent harm
- flooding
- water covering land that is usually dry
- intense
- very strong
- divide
- a clear difference between two things
Quiz
Answer key
1. Temperatures above 40°C 2. The heat could be dangerous for some people 3. Split between storms in some areas and heat in others
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Italy is currently experiencing very different weather _____ across the country.
A new heat wave is set to arrive, mainly affecting central and southern _____.
Forecasters expect temperatures to reach _____ above 40°C in these areas.
The North will remain _____, while the South faces another period of intense heat.
Southern cities have brought back _____ warnings.
These alerts tell people that the heat could be _____.
Other parts of Italy have seen _____, sudden and heavy rain that can cause flooding.
This mix of storms and heat shows how _____ the weather has become this summer.
Health officials advise drinking plenty of water and avoiding outdoor activity during the hottest part of the _____.
This kind of weather pattern has become more common in recent years, according to _____.
Discussion questions
- Why do you think weather can be so different in different parts of the same country?
- What precautions do you take during a heat wave?
- Do you think extreme weather events are becoming more common where you live?
- How should governments help people during dangerous heat waves?