Tomorrow Latina will be one of the hottest cities in Italy. The Ministry of Health has assigned the red sticker to eight centres, four of which are in Lazio: in addition to Latina, there are Rome, Frosinone and Rieti, together with Ancona, Campobasso, Palermo, and Perugia. The red dot, as stated on the ministry’s website, refers to the maximum level of risk for the entire population and the arrival of heat waves «with possible negative effects on the health of healthy and active people, not only on risk subgroups such as the elderly, very young children and people suffering from chronic diseases”.
Weather forecasts indicate an increase in temperatures of 5 -6 degrees in the next few hours, with the arrival of the African anticyclone which also brings desert sand, temperatures of up to 40 degrees in the Centre-South and sultriness in the North.
As for Latina, a temperature of 27 degrees is expected at 8am today and 34 degrees at 2pm, while the maximum perceived temperature, which also takes humidity into account, will be 37 degrees. Tomorrow, however, will be the most critical day with 28 degrees already at 8 am, which will rise to 36 at 2 pm, while the maximum perceived temperature will be 39 degrees, triggering the “level 3” alert by the ministry, with serious risks both to human health and to forest fires. No gusts of wind are expected and this will contribute to the feeling of oppressive heat.
Looking at the statistics, June 21, 2023 was also the hottest day of the month, but the temperatures were decidedly lower: the maximum was “only” 31 degrees, five less than tomorrow. In 2022, however, there was a heat wave at the end of June which brought maximum temperatures up to 38 degrees.
The Region, through an ordinance signed by President Francesco Rocca, has established new measures to protect the health of workers exposed to excessive heat, with particular attention to the agricultural, horticultural and construction sites sectors. Workers employed in these areas, in fact, are at greater risk of thermal stress and heat stroke, due to prolonged exposure to the sun and high temperatures.
Outdoor work activities are prohibited from 12.30pm to 4pm, with immediate effect until 31 August, on days when the risk of exposure to the sun with intense physical activity is reported as “high”. The main objective of the ordinance is to reduce the impact of thermal stress and prevent serious consequences for the health of workers.
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