The Acropolis is closed for the second consecutive day, due to the heat wave. – I haven’t experienced such heat for 30 years, says Norwegian Henrik.

In recent days, a heat wave has swept through Europe, and in several places the temperature has reached 40 degrees.

One of the countries that really feels the heat is Greece. This weekend, the “Cléon” weather system is hitting the country with full force, and meteorologists announced on Friday that temperatures will rise to 45 degrees on Saturday.

On Friday, authorities went so far as to close the Acropolis tourist attraction in Athens due to the heatwave.

They do the same on Saturday between 12:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. The Acropolis is located on an unsheltered hill and temperatures are expected to reach 40 degrees during the day.

Greeks are also encouraged to work from home whenever possible, as well as to work less or take a break during the working day from 12–17.

– From the measuring stations I have access to, I can confirm that it is very hot in Greece right now. It’s 40 degrees in Athens and 35 degrees on the island of Naxos, state meteorologist at the Meteorological Institute, Eirin Walstad Ristesund told VG.

– Different from Klepp

Among those feeling the Greek heat on their bodies is the Løset de Klepp family.

– It’s hot. That’s it, says Henrik Løset (58) on the phone from the Greek island of Samos.

He is on vacation with his twin daughters Iben and Sofie (18), Caia (19), who is a friend of the girls, and his wife Annette Soleng (57).

They are now halfway through their two-week stay on the island.

– The weather is a bit different here than at home in Klepp, he laughs from Faros beach just near the center of Pythagoreio.

– It should be nice and warm out front, between 38 and 42 degrees.

Trapped under the “heat-dome”

The heat wave also affected other European countries such as France, Germany, Spain and Poland. In Spain, temperatures of up to 44 degrees have been predicted.

Last year’s heat waves claimed the lives of more than 60,000 people in Europe, shows a new study.

Greek authorities have gone far and asked everyone in the country to avoid unnecessary activities in the sun, eat light meals and take regular showers to cool off.

The Athens City Council has also opened seven air-conditioned “cold rooms” across the city, open from 8 am–8 pm daily.

– Why is it so hot?

– A week ago, an anticyclone formed over North Africa. This high pressure has now moved towards Europe. What is happening now is that southern Europe is trapped under a so-called thermal dome, says Walstad Ristesund of the Meteorological Institute.

A “heat dome” is a kind of blanket, or heat dome, that occurs when high pressure stays in one place for a long time and traps hot air below.

– When the air begins to descend towards the ground, it prevents the formation of clouds, which makes the temperature even warmer.

In addition, the heat makes the soil drier.

– If the soil lacks water, the temperature increases even more. When it’s dry, the temperature rises quickly, says Walstad Ristesund.

– I haven’t experienced such heat for 30 years

The high temperatures push the father of the family Henrik Løset (58 years old) to escape under the parasol.

– The others can take care of the sunbathing, he laughs.

– And we bathe a lot! You have to get in the water three or four times an hour to feel comfortable. We knew it was going to be hot, but maybe not that hot, he said.

In the past, the family vacationed mainly in Türkiye. This year’s temperatures stand out, according to Løset.

– I haven’t experienced such heat for 30 years, he said.

– Learn about the symptoms

Meteorologist Eirin Walstad Ristesund urges people to watch out for the heat.

– It doesn’t take long to get heatstroke if you’re currently in southern Europe.

Walstad Ristesund therefore has several attractions for Norwegians on holiday.

– Drink enough water and drink before you feel thirsty. When you are thirsty, you are already dehydrated. It is important to drink several liters of water when it is so hot.

– And it is important to eat enough and have enough salt.

She also encourages people to avoid being outdoors during the hottest hours of the day.

– And above all, I encourage you to read the most common symptoms of heat stroke.

– Because it is unusually hot in southern Europe now, says the meteorologist.