Ferragosto at 40 degrees and with disruptions to rail transport

The week of August 15th will see the return of intense heat across much of Italy, with temperatures reaching 38-39 degrees Celsius in many cities, including Rome. After a brief respite with thunderstorms, especially in the north and Campania, the expansion of the subtropical anticyclone will bring muggy temperatures back across the country.

Tomorrow, 19 Italian cities will be marked with a red alert, the highest heatwave alert level, including major cities such as Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Florence, Naples, Palermo, Rome, and Messina. Six other cities, including Milan and Venice, will be under an orange alert, with risks concentrated among vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children.

The heatwave's consequences are also impacting public health: experts estimate an increase of between 5.000 and 7.000 deaths compared to periods without heatwaves. Unfortunately, in recent days, there have been deaths attributable to heat-related illnesses, such as that of a bricklayer in Padua and three people who were swimming in the sea.

Meanwhile, fires remain critical in several areas, with operations underway in the Gorizia area, Tuscany, and Lazio. Firefighters are working to put out blazes that threaten woodland and scrubland.

The disruption isn't limited to the heat: from tomorrow until August 28th, upgrade work is scheduled on the Rome-Florence railway lines, with work affecting sections between Chiusi, Orvieto, and Panicale. This work could cause delays and disruption for commuters and travelers, while for those traveling by car, the situation remains calmer, with a slight decrease in traffic compared to last year's holiday weekend.