A fifth extreme heat wave of this summer arrived in Italy at the end of August. On Friday, nine cities in the country will be at the red level of danger due to high temperatures, while in the northern regions the risk of heavy rains, hail and strong winds is increasing.
After a short period of unstable weather, which helped to lower the temperature, the heat will intensify again. According to forecasts, the wave will not last long, and its peak will fall on August 27-29. At the same time, it is expected to be the most intense of the entire summer season.
The heat is caused by an African anticyclone, which can also bring dust from the Sahara. The southern and central regions of Italy will suffer the most from it, where the temperature will exceed the average by 8-10°C.
On Thursday, according to the latest bulletin of the Italian Ministry of Health, three cities were already at the red level of danger: Bari, Palermo and Campobasso. Another nine cities — Ancona, Cagliari, Catania, Florence, Latina, Messina, Reggio Calabria, Rieti and Rome — were at the orange level.
Heat peak and ‘super-tropical’ nights
The highest temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday, especially in the south of the country, in Lazio and the central part of the Adriatic coast. Friday, August 28, could be the hottest day of the summer of 2026. In eastern Sicily, the temperature can reach 45°C, in Apulia — 44°C, and in some inland areas of Calabria, extreme peaks of up to 45-46°C are forecast.
The heat wave will also cover Sardinia, where the maximum temperature can reach 44°C. At the same time, the island expects the so-called «super-tropical nights», when the temperature at night in the plains will not drop below 25°C.
On Friday, the red level of danger will be in effect in nine cities: Bari, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Latina, Messina, Palermo, Reggio Calabria and Rome.
In central and southern Italy, the temperature will reach 42°C in Foggia, 40°C in Isernia and 38-39°C in Rome.
Heavy rains and hail expected in the north
The strongest heat will bypass the north of the country, where the maximum temperatures will be significantly lower. In the Milan area, the temperature may not even rise to 30°C, in Turin 27-28°C is expected, and on the Venetian plain — up to 34°C.
At the same time, the weather in the northwest will gradually worsen. On Friday, the northern regions are forecast to have the worst weather conditions — with the risk of heavy rains, hail and strong gusts of wind.
Over the weekend, a general improvement in the weather and a decrease in temperature is expected, especially in central and southern Italy. The beginning of September will remain summer, however, on Tuesday, September 1 and Wednesday, September 2, a new unstable front may move to the north of the country, and later — cover part of central Italy. Warmer weather will remain in the south.
Source: Euronews
