New Saharan Heat Blast Spells More Extremes for Europe (3)

The heat wave engulfing the Mediterranean is set to intensify as another Saharan anticyclone threatens record temperatures from Italy to Greece.

The new weather system — named Charon after the mythological ferryman who delivered souls to the underworld – could lift temperatures to almost 50C (122F) on the Italian island of Sardinia by Wednesday, according to forecaster Il Meteo. Europe’s all-time high is 48.8C, reached in Sicily two years ago.

High winds are bringing added dangers, with a fire destroying homes outside Athens. On Wednesday, 23 of Italy’s biggest cities are subject to emergency heat wave warnings from the country’s ...