Veneto's cities brace as Italy's heat alert climbs to red

Italy is placing nearly all of its major cities under the highest alert for heat from Monday, as a fresh heatwave grips the country, authorities said on Saturday, according to The Local Italy. The BBC reported that 19 major Italian cities — including Rome, Milan and Naples — are already on red alert, and by Monday all but two will be.

The red alert, the highest level on Italy's heat warning scale, signals conditions that pose a serious risk to the whole population, not just the vulnerable. The measure follows a summer that has already seen record fire weather across the European Union, with data cited by the Guardian showing hot, dry and windy conditions 43% more severe than the 20-year average for this time of year.

For Veneto, the alert lands at the peak of the tourist season, when Venice and the coastal towns of Jesolo and Caorle are packed with visitors. The region's humid continental climate, with its foggy winters and hot, sticky summers, makes the current spell particularly taxing for the elderly residents who remain in the historic centre while day-trippers crowd the bridges.