But this year the usual “solleone” (an Italian term used to indicate the hottest summer days) is overwhelming. The dizzying heat is expected to peak early this week, with temperatures climbing above 45 degrees Celsius (113 Fahrenheit). It’s not just Italy suffering, with the giant oven of hot air blasting other parts of southern Europe, like Greece and Spain. Experts are warning temperatures might even break the continent’s record of 48.8 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees Fahrenheit), set two years ago. A sign outside a pharmacy in Rome displays 45 degrees Celsius (118.4 degrees Fahrenheit) temperatures as Italy -- and southern Europe -- braces for even higher numbers this week.

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Persons: Silvia Marchetti, Read, it’s, Silvia Marchetti Silvia Marchetti, It’s, Guglielmo Mangiapane, –, Riccardo De Luca, ’, Dante, I’ve Organizations: CNN, Italy CNN, Anadolu Agency, Twitter, Facebook, Housewives Locations: Rome, Capena, Italy, Europe, Greece, Spain, Italian, Roman, UAE