by InTrieste
Italy is preparing for its third major heat wave of the summer, with forecasters warning that temperatures could climb to 40 degrees Celsius in parts of the country and remain well above seasonal averages through at least mid-July.
Meteorologists say the new spell of African heat will intensify from Wednesday, bringing widespread highs between 37°C and 40°C, along with humid nights that offer little relief. The hottest conditions are expected across the Po Valley, where temperatures could reach 38°C, with peaks of 39°C forecast for parts of Emilia-Romagna and southern Lombardy.
By the weekend, forecasts indicate highs of around 40°C in Sardinia, while parts of Puglia and Tuscany could approach 39°C. Rome is expected to reach about 36°C by Sunday, with similarly hot conditions continuing into next week. Milan, after a peak near 38°C, is forecast to remain between 34°C and 35°C, with nighttime temperatures staying above 25°C.
Meteorologists attribute the increasingly intense and prolonged heat waves to the effects of climate change, saying rising global temperatures are amplifying the strength and persistence of high-pressure systems over southern Europe.
Current forecasts suggest the heat wave could last until at least July 22 or 23, raising the prospect of one of Italy’s hottest summers on record. Forecasters caution that temperatures could climb even higher if weather models prove accurate.
