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The Independent
2 days ago
- Climate
- The Independent
What wildfires and extreme heat in Europe could mean for your summer holiday
For a third summer in a row, extreme heat is causing chaos in southeastern Europe. Turkey recorded its highest temperature on record on Friday reaching 50.5C, or 123F. The UK Met Office says: 'This extreme heat is bringing serious health impacts and giving a very high risk of wildfires.' Blazes have also broken out in parts of Albania and Italy. In Greece, firefighters are tackling wildfires in the northern suburbs of Athens as well as on some Greek islands. A pattern of wildfires and evacuations on Greek islands has played out each summer. 2023: the mass evacuation of 20,000 holidaymakers from the Greek island of Rhodes due to wildfires. 2024: many British tourists in Kos were moved from their hotels as a precaution as wildfires flared. Other islands including Zante still bear the scars of wildfires. 2025: earlier this summer, several thousand people were evacuated from the south eastern corner of Crete, though the wildfires did not affect the key resorts of Elounda and Malia. Besides the extreme distress caused to communities who have seen some homes destroyed in the blaze, there is concern about the safety of holidaymakers – with fears that hot, dry conditions could fuel further blazes. What is happening in Greece? The Greek national weather service predicts that, on the mainland, the heat will reach heights of 37 degrees this summer. The General Secretariat for Civil Protection has issued a Fire Risk Map that shows the southern mainland of Greece, as well as the whole island of Crete, at the second-highest alert. Fires over the weekend on some lesser-visited islands including Kythira and Evia. After weeks of hot, dry weather, the fear is that wildfires could break out elsewhere. Holidaymakers in Athens have been affected: the Acropolis, the main tourist attraction in the Greek capital, closed for five hours on Sunday afternoon 'due to high temperatures for the safety of employees and visitors'. Meanwhile cruise ships are cancelling some excursions because of concerns about extreme heat. What are the authorities saying about the current heatwave? Even without wildfires, heat can be a serious problem. The Greek weather service warned people at the weekend on the island of Crete that 'high temperatures will lead to health risks amongst the elderly and very young.' The NHS warns that excessive heat is potentially dangerous for children aged five and under, and older people aged 65 years and over, as well as people with underlying health conditions including heart problems, breathing problems, and diabetes. The advice is to avoid outdoor activities, keep well hydrated and stay in an air-conditioned room – which may not constitute everyone's idea of a great holiday. The Foreign Office earlier this month stepped up its warning for British travellers to Greece, to include the advice of: 'consider preparing a grab bag' containing passports, mobile phones and chargers, cash, bank cards and medications. Is the Turkish temperature record more alarming? It is, but the peak was reached about as far from the coast and cities of southwest Turkey as it is possible to be – in the southeastern city of Silopi, on the Iraqi border. More of concern are the wildfires that have claimed firefighters ' lives in the large western Turkish city of Bursa, which is not far from Istanbul. But life is continuing as normal in Istanbul and the key resort areas around Bodrum, Marmaris and Antalya. Can people anxious about travelling to Turkey and Greece cancel? Probably not without losing most, or all of, their money. Under the Package Travel Regulations, holidaymakers can cancel for a refund 'if unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances occur at the place of destination or its immediate vicinity which significantly affect the performance of the package or the carriage of passengers to the destination'. The high temperatures and localised wildfires do not (yet) constitute 'unavoidable and extraordinary circumstances' that could affect holidays. Usual terms will apply: for imminent departures, cancellations are likely to result in the loss of the total cost of the holiday. It can, though, be transferred to other people for a nominal fee. Holidaymakers who have declared a pre-existing medical condition that would clearly be exacerbated by the unusually hot weather may be able to claim if they decide not to travel. Conversely, could people pick up a bargain Greek holiday this summer? Yes. Holiday companies are selling packages for under £400 to the Greek islands, including departures from Cardiff to Kefalonia on 29 July and Exeter to Zante on 7 August through Tui. If extreme heat is an annual event in the Med, could holidaymakers switch to cooler destinations? That seems rational – including staying in Britain. But tourism minister Sir Chris Bryant says domestic tourism in the UK is still below pre-Covid levels; the British love going abroad. There is an increased emphasis on travel to northern destinations, with more routes this summer to Iceland, Norway and Finland than ever. Yet the shift is only marginal. Looking at easyJet's schedules for this week from Manchester: there are nine flights to the Egyptian Red Sea and only one to Iceland, which makes clear the appetite for sunshine. The temperature this week in the Red Sea resorts of Sharm El Sheikh and Hurghada will reach 39C (over 102F) this week. Some shrewd destinations around the Mediterranean are laying on activities that avoid the hottest times of day. In the Italian Adriatic city of Grado, for example, the free city walking tour begins at 10pm. The oldest and most impressive church in the Aegean – the Ekatontapyliani on the Greek island of Paros – now opens for visitors from 7am to 11pm.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Climate
- Hindustan Times
India vs England 4th Test Day 5, Manchester weather forecast: Will rain rescue India or spoil Rahul-Gill's resistance?
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill's fightback on Day 4 added fresh intrigue to the ongoing fourth Test of the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy, setting up a tantalising final day in Manchester. But beyond the spotlight on the two batters and England's expected response in the morning session, the weather in Manchester has sparked intense discussion, with rain likely to play a decisive role in the outcome. Fans in the stands as rain stops play on day two of the fourth test cricket match between India and England, at the Old Trafford Cricket Ground(PTI) According to the UK Met Office, Sunday is expected to be cloudy, with chances of light rainfall in the morning. The temperature will hover between 14°C and 18 18°C. In fact, there is an 80 per cent chance of rain in the morning session at Old Trafford, which will drop to 70 per cent by the afternoon, 50 per cent till tea and 30 per cent by the close of play. Who will benefit from this? As mentioned above, the probability of rain could imply washed-out sessions, increasing India's chances of a draw, which would subsequently keep the series alive until the finale at The Oval. Intermittent rain breaks, which seem more likely, could rather hamper India in breaking their rhythm. Not to forget, the second new ball is due in just 17 overs. Earlier on Day 4, England had sniffed an early opportunity to pin India down and wrap up the series after Ben Stokes smashed a century and Chris Woakes was in sight of a hat trick before he'd even completed the first over of India's second innings. By lunch, India were 1/2 and 310 runs behind. Despite the odds stacked against the visitors, the stubborn stand of Rahul (87 not out) and Gill (78 not out) gave India the hope of salvaging something from the Test and the five-match series as a whole, which England lead 2-1. India ended the day on 174-2 and trailing by 137 after frustrating the host. "It was very frustrating. We expected to get a few more wickets after the first over of the day," said England assistant coach Marcus Trescothick. "But they (India) batted very well, they stuck at it."
India.com
23-07-2025
- Climate
- India.com
IND vs ENG 4th Test Pitch And Weather Report From Old Trafford: Will Rain And Old Trafford Pitch Help Or Hurt India's Comeback Hopes?
As the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy 2025 heats up, all eyes turn to Old Trafford, Manchester, where India and England lock horns for the crucial fourth Test starting July 23. Trailing 1-2 in the five-match series, India are fighting not only for parity but also for survival. A loss here would seal the series in England's favour. Amid looming injury setbacks and unpredictable Manchester skies, India's hopes hinge on both the pitch and the weather gods. The Old Trafford surface promises intrigue. While historically regarded as a fast bowler's paradise, recent trends suggest a transformation. Pitches here have flattened out, with increasing assistance for spinners, particularly in the latter stages of the game. But the plot thickens with the recent Manchester rains, which could inject moisture back into the wicket and rekindle some of its pace-friendly past. Experts believe the current surface resembles Edgbaston more than Leeds or Lord's — where India saw mixed fortunes. The green tinge seen in pre-match photos is likely to be trimmed before play, but under heavy clouds, seam movement could still be a major factor early on. Old Trafford Recent Stats England scored 592 against Australia in Ashes 2023 Sri Lanka managed 236 in 2024; England chased 358 In 10 recent Tests at this venue, teams batting first won eight times These numbers clearly hint: win the toss, bat first, and build pressure. Weather Watch: Rain, Rain, Go Away? Manchester's weather remains the biggest wildcard. A 30% chance of rain hovers over Day 1, with intermittent showers predicted across the first three days. Overcast conditions are expected to dominate, especially early in the match, potentially favouring swing bowlers like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. The temperature will hover between 13°C to 21°C — a stark contrast from the sunnier venues earlier in the series. According to the UK Met Office and Google Weather updates: Day 1: Cloudy with 25–30% rain chance Days 2–3: Possible interruptions, especially in the first session Days 4–5: Better conditions, ideal for batting/spin If play gets truncated on Day 1 or 2, teams may consider a more aggressive approach to force a result within the remaining time. Team India's Selection Puzzle India's campaign has been jolted by injuries, with Akash Deep ruled out due to a groin issue and Nitish Reddy sidelined with a knee injury. These setbacks could force captain Shubman Gill and coach Gautam Gambhir to rethink their combination. India's successful three-allrounder formula from Edgbaston might give way to a traditional six-batter setup. Likely inclusions: Washington Sundar and Ravindra Jadeja as spin options Karun Nair or Sai Sudharsan to bolster the middle order Anshul Kamboj, fresh off a strong India A tour, could be a surprise pick if conditions demand an extra seamer Meanwhile, England look more settled, though they'll keep a close eye on moisture levels to decide their bowling composition — possibly fielding two spinners. Tactical Take: What to Expect on Match Day Given the conditions, the toss becomes even more critical. Batting first remains statistically superior at Old Trafford, but if cloud cover persists, the new ball could do wonders. The first session on Day 1 may be decisive — both teams will look to exploit early swing. Expect a classic English Test battle: Seamers to dominate early, with lateral movement under overcast skies Spinners to come into play from Day 3, especially if the sun breaks through Batsmen to be cautious early, then aggressive once conditions settle India's biggest challenge? Managing the mental and strategic pressure of a must-win game on foreign soil — and at a venue where they've never tasted victory (four losses, five draws).
Bloomberg
22-07-2025
- Climate
- Bloomberg
European Heat Wave Gives Way to Violent Storms and Flooding
Severe storms are triggering flooding in parts of Europe following weeks of extreme heat, while temperatures on the Italian island of Sicily climb to 44C (111F). A powerful low-pressure system delivered heavy precipitation as it moved east into central Europe on Tuesday, after dumping a month's worth of rain across parts of England, according to Tom Morgan, a meteorologist with the UK Met Office.
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Climate
- Irish Independent
‘Very difficult' travel conditions and some homes without power after torrential rain
Met Éireann has issued a Status Orange rain and thunderstorm warning for four counties on Monday with risk of widespread surface flooding and very difficult travelling conditions. The alert, covering counties Dublin, Louth, Meath and Wicklow came into force at midnight on Monday and will last until 2pm. Impacts include 'very difficult' travelling conditions, lightning damage and 'very poor' visibility. A Status Yellow rain warning is also in place for Kildare and Monaghan from midnight on Monday until 2pm. The national forecaster said potential impacts include localised flooding, poor visibility and difficult travelling conditions. Some employers have told employees to work from home where possible to avoid travelling. Meanwhile, the UK Met Office issued a Status Yellow rain warning for Antrim, Armagh and Down between 6pm Sunday and 6pm on Monday. A Status Amber/Orange rain warning for Antrim, Armagh and Down expired at 8am on Monday. There will be scattered heavy showers and longer spells of rain, especially across parts of the midlands and mid-west this evening. However, temperatures of 17 to 22 degrees are expected before another rather damp night tonight, with rain heaviest across the east of the country as temperatures hit lows of 13 to 15 degrees. The new week will start with further showers, heaviest over parts of Leinster and east Ulster with spot flooding possible before conditions brighten in parts of the west and south tomorrow evening. Highest temperatures of 15 to 20 degrees are expected, before another mild and rather wet day on Tuesday when temperatures hit highs of 16 to 19 degrees despite widespread showers in the afternoon. Met Éireann expects the coming days to feature 'generally mixed conditions' to start the week, forecasting 'showers or longer spells of, at times heavy, rain with spot flooding possible'. There will be fewer showers by midweek. Sunny spells and scattered showers are expected on Wednesday, with rain becoming less heavy than previous days and more isolated by evening as highs of 15 to 19 degrees are forecast. A largely dry day is on the cards for the Thursday, broken by a few light showers as highs hit between 17 to 20 degrees. Met Éireann says an 'Atlantic westerly regime looks set to dominate' for the days that follow. "The best of the drier and brighter weather will be in the east and south with cloudier conditions and a greater chance of rain or showers as well as breezier conditions in the west and north,' they said. "Temperatures look set to remain close to the seasonal norm.' Maeve McTaggart
