Cerberus Heatwave
# Cerberus Heatwave

Starting on 10 July 2023, the record-breaking Cerberus heatwave affected many European countries, with the effects felt most severely in parts of Southeast and Southwest Europe such as Cyprus, Greece, Italy, and Spain. The Italian Meteorological Society named the extreme weather event after the hound of Hades from Greek mythology. It is one of the first major named heatwaves in history; temperatures were predicted to exceed 48 °C (118 °F) and break the record for the hottest ever recorded in Europe. The European Space Agency predicted temperatures in Italy exceeding 50 °C (122 °F). The event also led to record-breaking high temperatures in the Arctic following a week of the hottest global average temperatures ever recorded. Several regional temperature records have also been broken, and the heatwave has prompted health warnings and government action in several countries.

## Effects

### Austria

Cerberus was the second heat wave of 2023 to affect Austria, with maximum temperatures of up to 36 °C (97 °F) predicted to occur during 10 and 11 July. After two days of heavy thunderstorms, temperatures in excess of 30 °C (86 °F) were expected to return on 14 July and reach as high as 38 °C (100 °F) in areas north of the Alps on 15 July.

### Croatia

Temperatures reached 40 °C (104 °F) by 13 July, sparking a significant wildfire near Sibenik.

### Cyprus

Temperatures in Cyprus neared 45 °C (113 °F) inland during the heatwave, with even elevated mountainous areas such as the Troodos region reaching a record-breaking 36 °C (97 °F). Government officials issued heat warnings and set up "heat shelters" in various cities.

### Greece

On July 14, officials in Athens announced midday closure of the Acropolis due to temperatures exceeding 40 °C (104 °F).

### Italy

The European Space Agency predicted that temperatures would exceed 48 °C (118 °F) in Sardinia some time in July, marking the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe. On 11 July, a road worker collapsed and later died in Lodi, marking the first recorded death of the event. Tourists throughout the country were also observed to suffer from heat stroke, with a British visitor fainting at the Colosseum. It is also expected that an anticyclone dubbed "Charon" originating from North Africa may raise the temperature to above 45 °C (113 °F) in parts of Italy early in the week beginning 17 July.

## Arctic

On 13 July, temperatures of 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) were observed at northern Norway's Slettnes Lighthouse, breaking a record previously held for 80 years.

