Today, Italy is split in two. In central and southern Italy and the islands, the African anticyclone is bringing the peak of the new heat wave, with temperatures up to 10 degrees above seasonal averages. In the north, however, the accumulated energy is unleashing thunderstorms in the Alps and Prealps, with potential spillovers into the high plains north of the Po River.
According to meteorologists, it's one of the most critical days of late summer. The Ministry of Health has already raised its alert: nine cities are on red alert.
Sultry nights, lows above 25 degrees
The discomfort began before dawn. Across much of the South, along the coasts of central Italy, and in Romagna, low temperatures remained above 25°C, with local temperatures approaching 30°C in some parts of the South. High humidity and little cooling at night: the so-called tropical nights, in several areas, are approaching even higher levels.
The peak in the South: above 40°C, with temperatures expected to rise up to 44-45°C. During the day, temperatures rise especially in Sardinia, Sicily, Calabria, Puglia, and Campania. The most common forecasts indicate peaks of 42-44°C in the most exposed inland areas. Some models, for Sicily and Sardinia, reach 45°C and do not rule out even more extreme scenarios, up to 48°C: however, these are calculations, not actual values.
Among the hottest cities are Foggia, around 42°C, and Benevento, Cagliari, Caltanissetta, Cosenza, Nuoro, and Reggio Calabria, all close to 41°C. Rome is expected to reach 39°C. The health risk is concentrated in Bari, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Latina, Messina, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, and Rome.
In the North, thunderstorms, not refreshment
While the rest of the country remains under the sun, showers and thunderstorms, some of which are severe, are developing in the western Alps, moving toward the Triveneto region. Showers may reach the high Po Valley. This isn't a change of season: it's just border instability, on the edge of the anticyclone.
Two-speed weekend
On Saturday, highs will drop by 3-4 degrees Celsius in the central and northern regions. Relief should also reach the south on Sunday, but only partially. After the passage of a weak Atlantic disturbance in early September, projections indicate a new surge of the African anticyclone. In short, summer isn't over yet.
