Late Summer Heat Continues, but Storms Are Coming Too
Listen to the story
Warm weather will continue at the end of August and the beginning of September in Italy, but strong storms are also expected during this period.
According to weather reports, the ongoing climate crisis is causing the sea to become warmer than usual. A warmer sea often leads to more intense rainfall, meaning storms can produce much heavier rain than in the past.
Experts warn about a growing risk of stronger medicanes. These are powerful storms that form over the Mediterranean Sea and behave in ways similar to tropical hurricanes.
The weather pattern known as El Niño is also being discussed. El Niño affects temperatures and rainfall in many parts of the world, and it may influence Italy's weather this autumn.
A new timelapse video has been released that shows how autumn weather could develop this year, giving people an idea of what to expect in the coming months.
Given these warnings, people are being advised to prepare for a mix of hot days and sudden, powerful storms as the season changes.
Vocabulary10 words
- storm
- very bad weather with strong wind, rain, or thunder
- climate crisis
- the serious, ongoing problem of Earth's temperature rising
- intense
- very strong or powerful
- medicane
- a strong storm in the Mediterranean Sea that acts like a hurricane
- El Niño
- a natural weather pattern that changes temperatures around the world
- temperature
- how hot or cold something is
- autumn
- the season between summer and winter
- timelapse
- a video made of many images that shows change happening quickly
- risk
- the possibility that something bad will happen
- prepare
- to get ready for something
Quiz
Answer key
1. Continued heat plus strong storms 2. Because the sea is getting warmer 3. True
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Warm weather will continue at the end of August and the beginning of September in Italy, but strong _____ are also expected during this period.
According to weather reports, the ongoing _____ is causing the sea to become warmer than usual. A warmer sea often leads to more _____ rainfall.
Experts warn about a growing _____ of stronger _____. These are powerful storms that form over the Mediterranean Sea.
The weather pattern known as _____ is also being discussed. It affects _____ and rainfall in many parts of the world.
A new _____ video has been released that shows how autumn weather could develop this year.
People are being advised to _____ for a mix of hot days and sudden, powerful storms as the season changes.
Discussion questions
- Have you noticed changes in storms or heat where you live recently?
- Why do you think a warmer sea leads to more intense rain?
- How do weather patterns like El Niño affect daily life in your opinion?
- What can people do to prepare for extreme weather events?