In recent days, Greece has been characterized by a heat wave – with temperatures well above 40 degrees in many places. Schools and kindergartens have been closed, so have many tourist attractions, such as the Acropolis. The hottest yesterday was in Milos – where the temperature was up to 44 degrees. But also well-known resorts such as Naxos and Mykonos had around 40 degrees. It is early summer even for the Greeks to have a heat wave now.REUTERS According to Greek meteorologists, it is the first time the temperature has reached 42 degrees in Athens before June 15, since measurements began in 1890. Intense days in the heat Someone who has felt the heat last The days are Christian Grotnes Halvorsen, who is embassy secretary at the Norwegian embassy in Athens. He says that there have been some intense days with high temperatures. It has left its mark on everyone. – It is a high temperature, it is hot at all times of the day. It’s a bit like being inside a hot air oven when we’re out and about. So we mostly stay indoors both when we are working and when we are not working, says Halvorsen. Athens yesterday was over 40 degrees. That has been the case today as well. Halvorsen is now in Korinth, an hour outside the city. It is around 38 degrees there. He hopes that the first heat wave is now coming to an end. It is early summer even for the Greeks to have a heat wave now. It is unusually early. Schools have been closed for a few days and some tourist attractions. And it is advised not to work outside on certain days in this very early first heat wave. – It is unusually early. Fortunately, this is not a very long wave, says Halvorsen. And then it does not have the same consequences in relation to people’s health and well-being. Photo: Petros Giannakouris / AP The temperatures have been above 40 degrees, but have not been up to 45 degrees yet this summer. But that could be later this summer, he adds. Advice for travelers Greece is a popular country for Norwegians to go on holiday to. – We have general travel advice on our websites. About the fact that in Greece there can be periods of extreme weather that can cause problems for travelers, says Halvorsen. And here in Greece, extreme weather is everything from heat waves like now, or other types of weather that can cause problems, he continues. On the page it says, among other things; Information about natural conditions and natural disasters in Greece “Extreme weather, floods and forest fires: Heat waves, droughts, forest fires, torrential rain and floods occur and can create challenges for travellers. In crises, local infrastructure can become vulnerable, and aid resources can be overwhelmed, especially on the islands. Due to the dry landscape and high temperatures, Greece is prone to forest fires, especially in the summer season. The danger increases considerably if there is strong wind. Forest fires can be potentially very dangerous. Follow the advice of local authorities and be prepared that evacuation may be necessary. Greece has developed a mobile phone-based notification system for anyone in the vicinity of natural disasters (earthquake/forest fire etc.). You are notified through automated messages from 112 (the European emergency number).” Excerpt from Greece – travel information from Regjeringen.no The general advice from the Greek health authorities is to stay indoors as much as possible and away from the sun during the most intense periods. Photo: Louiza Vradi / Reuters It is the same advice we give, says Halvorsen. – Stay indoors, drink water and not be very physically active, I think it will go well for Norwegians who will visit Greece this summer, concludes Halvorsen. Heat waves are deadly People going on holiday to Southern Europe must be prepared for heat. – If it is very hot there, people must stay indoors in cool rooms. Cool down as much as possible, says Tore Furevik. Furevik will not travel south this summer. He stays at home in Norway. Photo: Sindre Skrede He is a climate researcher and managing director at the Nansen Centre. The authorities in countries with heat waves must ensure that people can protect themselves, and get water out to people, he continues. Because heat waves are dangerous. – Heat waves are deadly. There is a very high mortality rate in heat waves for all people, but primarily for the elderly and those with an underlying illness, says Furevik. Are you afraid that your holiday will be ruined by a heat wave? Yes, I’m going on holiday to Southern Europe. It might get hot.. No, I’m betting on a Norwegian holiday this year Show result More heat waves coming Furevik is not surprised by the temperatures in Greece now. – It is record hot in the world, in the Atlantic Ocean and in southern Europe, he says. Photo: Stelios Misinas / Reuters And in May we also had heat in southern Norway. The world is hot, he points out. In Greece there is already a heat wave with temperatures above 40 degrees. They should be the earliest ever. But there is more to come. – Southern Europe will be hit by many heat waves this summer. Where and when is hard to say. But it will be fiercely hot, says Furevik. It has been hot in Mexico for a long time. And in Asia. He thinks that one of the big problems in the world is a heat wave combined with drought. But there will also be more precipitation. – When there is precipitation, there will more often be torrential rain and floods, he says. It really applies all over the world that precipitation more often comes as large amounts of precipitation. We have seen that in several places, such as in Spain in recent days, in California and elsewhere. It is a very clear signal all over the world. That there will be more heat waves and more torrential rain, says Furevik. In order to overcome that, we have to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, he concludes. Published 15.06.2024, at 19.00 Updated 15.06.2024, at 19.10
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– A bit like being inside a hot air oven – news Norway – Overview of news from different parts of the country
