by InTrieste
An intense early-summer heat wave is pushing temperatures across Friuli Venezia Giulia to levels more typical of August than June.
Meteorologists forecast highs of up to 36 degrees Celsius in parts of the region this week as a mass of hot air from North Africa settles over much of Italy. Along the coast, high humidity is expected to make conditions feel even warmer.
The abrupt rise in temperatures marks a sharp contrast to the mild weather that prevailed only weeks ago. Inland towns are expected to bear the brunt of the heat, while coastal areas such as Trieste may experience slightly lower temperatures but increased discomfort due to humidity.
Forecasters say the heat wave is likely to persist for several days before the possibility of thunderstorms brings some relief. Even then, temperatures are expected to remain above seasonal averages.
The episode is part of a broader pattern that has seen heat arrive earlier and more intensely across southern Europe in recent years, raising concerns about the growing frequency of extreme summer weather.
For residents across Friuli Venezia Giulia, however, the immediate reality is simpler: June has begun to feel a lot like the height of summer.
