A persistent heatwave is gripping parts of Sweden and Italy, with temperatures expected to soar and wildfire dangers rising sharply across both countries.
The Swedish Meteorological and Hydrological Institute has warned of high temperatures across northern and central Götaland and southern Svealand, where readings above 30 degrees Celsius are forecast on Wednesday and Thursday. An area burned north of the county border in Boxholm municipality on Sunday evening, and fire risk is rated high to extreme across Götaland, Svealand, and southern Norrland.
In Italy, temperatures between 39°C and 41°C are expected in central-south regions and Sardinia, with Florence reaching 39°C and Rome around 38°C. The Po Valley in northern Italy may see 37–38°C. Meteorologists see no break in the heatwave this week, with only slight cooling expected in the north between Friday and Saturday.