Warm evenings with temperatures reaching 28°C
In the picturesque region of Liguria, Italy, a heatwave has taken hold, causing temperatures to soar and bringing about a phenomenon known as tropical nights. On a typical June morning, the coastal town of Sanremo registered 54 patients in treatment and waiting, with the mercury rising to 33 degrees Celsius. The heatwave, which has been characterized as anomalous by Arpal Liguria's data, has seen temperatures remain stubbornly high, even at night, with Sanremo's sea temperatures reaching a balmy 28 degrees.
Yesterday, temperatures in Dolcedo exceeded 36 degrees, while inland areas such as Diano Castello and Pieve di Teco recorded a sweltering 35 degrees. Imperia, another coastal town, reported a temperature of 31.7 degrees. These high temperatures have been attributed to a high-pressure system that has remained stationary, causing sinking air that warms adiabatically and inhibits cloud formation, leading to prolonged heat during both day and night.
The heatwave has been particularly challenging for local health services. Emergency rooms in Sanremo, Imperia, and Bordighera have treated over a hundred patients in the morning and around eighty in the afternoon. The prolonged heat has disrupted physiological recovery, leading to increased cardiovascular strain, a greater risk of heat-related illness, and the exacerbation of pre-existing health conditions.
The heatwave has also led to sleep disturbances, further impairing health and wellbeing, particularly for older adults and vulnerable populations. This, in turn, has contributed to heightened mortality rates during the heatwave. To cope with the surge in patients, many shifts for the on-call doctor service have been canceled this week, especially in Sanremo. The "third rooms" activated by ASL 1 to treat white codes and ease the pressure on emergency medicine have not been enough.
Looking ahead, temperatures could increase further on Saturday, with a slight decrease on Sunday, but with low confidence. This prolonged heatwave has been exacerbated by climate change, which has been shown to elevate baseline nighttime temperatures in many locations, as evidenced by data from U.S. cities showing a significant rise in warmer summer nights since the 1970s.
It is crucial for everyone to take precautions during this heatwave, especially during the tropical nights, to prevent heat-related illnesses. Staying hydrated, seeking shade, and avoiding strenuous activity during the hottest parts of the day are essential measures to maintain health and wellbeing. As the heatwave continues to grip Liguria, the region's health services are working tirelessly to manage the surge in patients and ensure the safety and wellbeing of all residents.
- The ongoing heatwave in Liguria is centered around the science of weather forecasting, which predicts an increase in temperatures on Saturday.
- In addition to physical health-and-wellness, the heatwave has also impacted mental-health, causing sleep disturbances among older adults and vulnerable populations.
- To mitigate the effects of the heatwave, fitness-and-exercise, such as staying hydrated and seeking shade, are key to maintaining health and wellbeing during tropical nights.
- Environmental-science research shows that climate change has contributed to these extreme weather events, including a significant rise in warmer summer nights observed since the 1970s.
- The heatwave has stretched health services in Liguria, leading to the activation of "third rooms" and the cancellation of shifts for on-call doctors to address the influx of patients requiring therapies-and-treatments.
- The region's residents are urged to follow nutritional guidelines, as proper diet is essential for overall health during this challenging period, when the environment presents adverse conditions due to climate-change-induced weather changes.
