New Heat Wave Hits Italy: Hottest Cities Named
Listen to the story
Italy is facing a new heat wave, and forecasters have warned that several cities will become extremely hot in the coming days.
The extreme temperatures are caused by an anticyclone, a large area of high pressure that brings dry, sunny and very hot weather.
According to the latest data, temperatures will rise 8 to 10°C above the seasonal average in many parts of the country.
This kind of heat is being described as extreme, and health authorities are asking people to take precautions.
Today, two Italian cities are under a red alert, the highest warning level used by the health ministry.
A red alert means the heat could be dangerous for everyone, not just vulnerable groups like the elderly or people with health problems.
Officials expect the situation to get worse quickly. By tomorrow, the number of cities under red alert will rise to nine.
This sharp increase shows how fast the heat wave is spreading across different regions of Italy.
Authorities have not given a full list of every affected city, but they have confirmed that the number will more than quadruple in just one day.
Residents are being advised to stay hydrated, avoid direct sun during the hottest hours, and check on older neighbours or relatives.
Weather experts continue to monitor the anticyclone to see how long the extreme heat will last.
Vocabulary5 words
- heat wave
- a period of many very hot days
- anticyclone
- a weather system that brings hot, dry, calm conditions
- average
- the normal or usual amount
- red alert
- the highest level of danger warning
- quadruple
- to become four times bigger
Quiz
Answer key
1. An anticyclone 2. 8-10°C 3. Nine
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Italy is facing a new _____, and forecasters have warned that several cities will become extremely hot in the coming days.
The extreme temperatures are caused by an _____, a large area of high pressure that brings dry, sunny and very hot weather.
According to the latest data, temperatures will rise 8 to 10°C above the seasonal _____ in many parts of the country.
Today, two Italian cities are under a _____, the highest warning level used by the health ministry.
A red alert means the heat could be dangerous for everyone, not just _____ groups like the elderly or people with health problems.
Officials expect the situation to get worse quickly. By tomorrow, the number of cities under red alert will rise to _____.
Authorities have not given a full list of every affected city, but they have confirmed that the number will more than _____ in just one day.
Residents are being advised to stay _____, avoid direct sun during the hottest hours, and check on older neighbours or relatives.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a heat wave? How did you stay cool?
- Why do you think health authorities use alert levels like 'red alert' for heat?
- What advice would you give to someone living in a city under a red heat alert?
- Do you think heat waves like this are becoming more common? Why or why not?