As much of Europe sees blazing temperatures, authorities in one German region are imposing temporary speed limits on some stretches of the autobahn as a precaution against heat damage.
Torrid weather gripped large parts of western and central Europe on Wednesday, setting new June temperature records in Germany and the Czech Republic and forcing drivers to slow down on some sections of the famously speedy German autobahns.
The Czech Hydro-Meteorological Institute said the temperature reached 38.5 Celsius in Doksany — a Czech Republic high for the month. New daily records were set at some 80% of local measuring stations.Authorities have warned that temperatures could top 40 degrees Celsius in parts of continental Europe in the coming days as a plume of dry, hot air moves north from Africa.
Professor Hannah Cloke, a natural hazards researcher at Britain's University of Reading, said the heat along with a build-up of humidity was a"potentially lethal combination." Similarly baking conditions are expected in much of the country, from the Pyrenees in the southwest to the German border in the northeast.
Regional authorities estimated the measure, targeting vehicles including gasoline cars from 2005 or older and diesel cars from 2010 or older, affects nearly 60% of vehicles circulating in the Paris region. Violators face fines. With temperatures in Milan forecast to hit 40 C, an aid group said it was preparing to distribute 10,000 bottles of free water to the homeless and other needy people. The Civil Protection service in Rome also planned to distribute water to people at risk during the hottest hours of the day.
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