Italy is bracing for its first heatwave this weekend, with temperatures expected to reach 42 degrees Celsius in some parts of the country. National weather services have issued red weather warnings for six cities, including Rome and Perugia. It is the first time this year that the country has been given the highest level of heat warning.
The hottest will be in the south - Sardinia and Sicily
As reported by the Italian Meteorological Portal ilMeteo.it, the heat will hit the entire country, but the southern part will suffer particularly severe overheating. In Sardinia, up to 42 °C is expected, in Sicily - around 40 °C, in Rome - up to 37 °C, in Florence and Bologna - 38 °C.
Meteorologist Stefano Rossi calls these figures "exceptional, especially for the beginning of June." His colleague Lorenzo Tedici adds that "in the next 72 hours the heat will reach extreme levels."
Red and orange warnings
The Italian health ministry issued a red alert for Bolzano, Campobasso and Perugia on Friday, with Rieti, Rome and Frosinone to be added on Saturday, while Bologna, Brescia, Florence, Latina and Turin will be on orange alert.
A red alert means that extreme heat poses a risk to all residents, regardless of age or health. Authorities advise limiting exposure to the sun during the day, drinking plenty of fluids and avoiding physical activity.
Weather change – only on Sunday evening
Despite the scorching heat, a sudden change in weather is expected at the end of the weekend. A storm front will move from the Alpine region towards the Po Valley on Sunday afternoon, bringing severe thunderstorms, strong winds and hail. It will initially affect Piedmont, Lombardy and Emilia-Romagna, before spreading to northeastern Italy in the evening.
Meanwhile, the southern part of the country will remain in the heat zone - the weather there will remain dry and muggy. Experts predict that temperatures will decrease slightly in northern and central Italy next week, but the heat wave will not end. The African anticyclone, currently dominating the Mediterranean Sea, is likely to continue.
Italian authorities, health services and meteorologists are urging residents and tourists to behave responsibly. This heatwave is not only uncomfortable, but also a health hazard that needs to be taken seriously.
