Heat alarm in Italy: official warnings in five cities – ice price is climbing

Created: 07/06/2022, 09:09

By: Tom Offinger

As in 2021, Italy is struggling with a heat wave (symbol image).

© picture alliance/dpa/LaPresse via ZUMA Press |

Mauro Scrobogna

Italy is struggling with a major heat wave just in time for the start of the holiday season.

As temperatures continue to rise, so does the price of a coveted summertime snack.

Rome/Munich - In 2022, the advancing climate change will again leave its mark on the world.

In addition to India, Italy is now also hit by a severe heat wave, which could throw the country off track at the start of the summer months.

In addition to the dangers for people, the heat wave of the past few days is also having an impact on the economy and could create a bad mood, especially among holidaymakers who are heading south in the coming weeks.

Heat wave in Italy: temperatures well over 30 degrees Celsius

In large parts of Italy, many tourists are likely to have worked up a sweat on Sunday.

Peak values ​​of just under 40 Celsius were expected locally, such as around Palermo in Sicily or Cagliari in Sardinia.

But not only in the usual warm south of the country did the temperatures rise, the thermometers also broke through the 30-degree mark in the capital Rome and in the metropolis of Milan in the north of the country in the past few days.

According to the latest forecasts, there should not be a longer cooling phase, and it will remain warm over the course of the week.

The Italian Ministry of Health issued a heat warning for five cities - which means that there can be negative physical effects even for healthy people.

Cities affected included the capital Rome, Perugia (Umbria), Rieti (Lazio), Frosinone (Lazio) and Campobasso (Molise/Apennines).

The experts advised avoiding busy places and only staying outside in the morning and evening.

Just in time for the holiday season, one of the most popular German travel destinations is now attracting visitors with warm, sometimes dangerous temperatures.

With the beginning of the Pentecost holidays in Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria, numerous holidaymakers have probably already found their way over the Brenner Pass (you can find an overview of all applicable Corona rules for holidays in Italy here).

Heat wave in Italy: Ice cream more popular than ever - but the price causes trouble

The ongoing heat wave nevertheless has positive effects: According to the Coldiretti agricultural association, more ice cream is currently being eaten in Italy due to the high temperatures - although the prices for it have recently risen significantly.

In May, ice cream in a croissant or cup was around eleven percent more expensive than the same period last year, the association said on Sunday, citing data from the statistical office.

The Coldiretti experts attributed the increase to the fact that the approximately 39,000 ice cream parlors in Italy spent more on energy, milk, sugar and eggs, which is also due to the Russian war of aggression in Ukraine.

According to Coldiretti, the Italian ice cream market grew by 19.5 percent in 2021 compared to the previous year.

The association hopes that the trend with returning tourists after the difficult Corona seasons will continue this year.

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