With summer at its peak in Europe, and temperatures soaring well above 30°C in Athens, a new smartphone app by Extrema couldn’t be more timely.
Developed with the National Observatory of Athens and the municipality of Athens to cater to locals and visitors in the Greek capital, Extrema Athens allows users to be sent personalised warnings about the weather, and most importantly during the summer months, when the city is experiencing a heat wave.
According to the developers, they have ensured its efficacy by designing it to “use real-time satellite data, along with other model and city-specific data to estimate the temperature, humidity and discomfort index for every square kilometre in the city”, delivering immediate, science-based information that is updated every five minutes.
Users are able to create a warning system that is personalised for when they themselves, or someone they know – particularly useful for the elderly or young children – are at risk of experiencing heat stroke.
The technology by Extrema, which can be downloaded from the Apple Store and Google Play, is already being used effectively in other European cities such as Paris and Rotterdam.