A fleeting respite from the summer heat before the return of the North African anticyclone.* This is the scenario unfolding on the meteorological front in Italy, where the start of the week brings cooler air, instability in the South, and some residual rain, but also a progressive rise in temperatures destined to culminate, according to the latest projections, in a new wave of African heat right in the heart of August.
The current situation: a cold drop between Italy and the Balkans
At this time, the weather is being affected by a low-pressure system with colder air at high altitude, moving between Italy and the Balkans. This is resulting in unstable conditions in the South, where scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, especially in the peninsula's interior.
Things are better in the Central-Northern regions, however, where the weather remains drier, despite some afternoon showers along the central Apennines and in the Alps.
Today's weather: unstable in the South, clear in the North
North partPartly cloudy, but mostly sunny. Some afternoon showers in the Alps, then clear again in the evening.
CentroScattered clouds alternating with clear spells. Some rain is possible in Abruzzo, but overall the day will be dry.
South and IslandsMostly stable morning with occasional showers in Molise; increasing instability in the afternoon, especially in Puglia, Campania, Basilicata, and Calabria. More sunshine in Sicily and Sardinia. Temperatures will drop slightly in the South, rising in the Center and North.
The anticyclone will rise again from mid-week: heat will increase
Over the next few days, the high pressure system, currently positioned over Western Europe, will tend to push eastward, bringing atmospheric stability to much of the peninsula. Temperatures will gradually rise again, but will remain close to seasonal averages at least until midweek.
A scorching August 15th? The African heat returns.
But the scenario is rapidly changing ahead of next weekend, when the expansion of the subtropical anticyclone could trigger another intense heat wave. The latest updates from the Italian Meteorological Center indicate temperatures up to 4-6°C above average, with a significant increase in temperatures that could extend into the week of August 15th.
It's currently difficult to predict how long the wave will last, but models suggest a return of hot days across the peninsula, with a particular impact on central and southern regions and inland areas.
A break before the great heat
In short, Italy is currently experiencing a relatively cool spell, with thunderstorms and northerly winds, but is preparing to once again face the scorching heat of Africa. Summer, in short, is far from over. And it could soon show its most extreme side, precisely when millions of Italians will be traveling for their mid-August holidays.
The article is interesting, but it seems the climate in Italy is changing too quickly. It would be nice to have more stability, but it seems the African anticyclone keeps coming back. Let's hope it's not too hot for mid-August.