'Unbearable' Cerberus heatwave sweeps across Europe

Record temperatures are being recorded in Europe as an "unbearable" heatwave is making its way across the continent.

More high temperatures are expected in Europe next week as another heatwave approaches.

The European Space Agency (ESA) says Italy, Spain, France, Germany and Poland may see extreme conditions.

In Italy, temperatures could reach as high as 48.8C (119.8F), which is as hot as the hottest temperature ever recorded in Europe.

A red alert warning - which means there's a danger to life - has been issued for 16 Italian cities, including Rome, Bologna and Florence.

Is Europe getting hotter?

Yes. Global warming is driving average temperatures up around the world every year, and heatwaves like this are becoming more frequent, more intense, and last longer.

The highest temperature recorded in Europe was in Syracuse, Sicily in August 2021 at 48.8C

It has been reported that a 44-year-old man has died in Italy, as a result of the heat.

Italian politician Nicola Fratoianni tweeted: "We are facing an unbearable heatwave," and urged residents to stay out of the sun when it is at its strongest.

Authorities are also advising people to to drink at least two litres of water per day to stay hydrated.

People and pets are doing what they can to stay cool

The Cerberus heatwave - named by the Italian Meteorological Society - has been sweeping across parts of southern Europe and north-west Africa in the past few days, and the Met Office says temperatures will peak on Friday.

However, the hot weather is expected to stick around over the weekend, and even when Cerberus dies down, another heatwave called Charon will be arriving shortly after.

Cerberus has hit Europe just after the UK saw its hottest June on record, and other countries across the world are facing issues due to extreme heat.

What's causing this heatwave?

The hot weather is being caused an anticyclone.

This is an area of high pressure, which causes cool air from higher up in the atmosphere to sink, where it is then warmed again and rises.

Anticyclones happen all year round, but there are other factors causing the heat to become extreme

Anticyclones happen all the time though.

Why is this anticyclone causing such extreme heat?

There are a number of reasons. One is that we're in a period called El Niño, a weather system that makes temperatures around the world hotter.

It happens when water in the Eastern Pacific Ocean heats up more than normal, and creates unusually hot and stormy weather.

The Met Office said climate change was definitely contributing to the heatwaves we've been seeing in recent years

Another reason for the extreme heat is climate change.

Weather forecasters say global warming is driving average temperatures up everywhere making heatwaves more intense and more common.