Record heat in the South and severe weather in the North: Italy reels in heat and thunderstorms.

A scorching heatwave is about to hit Italy, with its peak expected on Wednesday, July 23, when an African air bubble will bring exceptional temperatures, especially in Sardinia, central and southern Italy.

But the North is preparing for an abrupt change of course, with the arrival of a flow of humid oceanic air that will unleash heavy rains and thunderstorms, in stark contrast to the oppressive heat of the southern regions.

Tuesday, July 22: The heat is making itself felt, but in the North the tune is changing.

In Northern Italy the day starts with partly cloudy skies, but the weather quickly worsens: widespread rain, locally intense and of a stormy nature, will hit all regions, with Emilia-Romagna only marginally affected.

Sunny weather dominates in Central Italy and Sardinia, with clear skies and rising temperatures. The same story will unfold in the South and Sicily, where stable, sunny weather will be accompanied by increasingly stifling heat.

Minimum temperatures are rising in Piedmont, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, and central-southern Sardinia, while remaining stable in Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and Abruzzo. Elsewhere, temperatures are slightly decreasing.

Highs, however, will soar in Sardinia, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, and eastern Sicily, with extreme highs above 40°C in inland Sicily, reaching 45°C in some areas. Light and variable winds will prevail throughout the country, with generally calm seas, except for the eastern Ionian Sea, which remains rough.

Wednesday, July 23: Thunderstorms in the North, record heat in the South

Instability prevails in the North, with widespread and locally intense thunderstorms, accompanied by showers and possible hail. Emilia-Romagna, less affected, will see higher temperatures.

In central Italy, patchy skies with scattered showers over Tuscany, Marche, and central-southern Sardinia. In the south and Sicily, however, the sun continues to dominate, but the heat reaches exceptional levels, with temperatures bordering on historic records. Only western Sardinia records a slight drop in temperatures.

Thursday, July 24: Severe weather in central and northern Italy, persistent heat in the south

The severe weather is intensifying in central and northern Italy, with scattered showers and thunderstorms, sometimes severe, and a sharp drop in temperatures. In the south, partly cloudy skies but with large clearings and oppressive heat, especially in Puglia, Basilicata, inland Campania, Calabria, and Sicily, where temperatures remain extremely high.

Friday, July 25th and Saturday, July 26th: Widespread instability, but glimpses of sunshine

Atmospheric instability continues to dominate, with irregular skies and thunderstorms extending towards the South. However, there will be moments of respite, with large clearings and a gradual improvement in the North. An extreme summer.

Italy is caught between exceptional heat, which could set new records in the South and Sicily, and instability that will bring thunderstorms and cool temperatures to the Center and North. The situation is constantly evolving: weather updates will be essential for monitoring the progress of this extraordinary climate phase. (edited by metogiornale.it)