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[INTERNATIONAL] · Italy · 100 sources

Italy endures record heat wave as African anticyclone drives temperatures above 40 °C

A powerful African anticyclone is dominating Italy’s weather from 12 July and is expected to persist until at least 22 July 2026. Forecasts show maximum temperatures reaching 43 °C in Sardinia, over 40 °C in the Po Valley and 39‑41 °C across much of the centre‑south. Health authorities have issued red heat‑alert levels for Florence and Perugia and orange alerts for six other cities, while eighteen locations remain on yellow. The prolonged high‑pressure system, described as an “Omega” configuration, is also fueling severe forest fires, especially in Piedmont and Sardinia, where hundreds of thousands of trees have been lost. The heat is worsening drought, threatening irrigation in the Po basin and jeopardising crops, with potential harvest losses up to 30 % and a 20 % drop in milk production. Public‑health warnings advise hydration, limiting outdoor exposure and monitoring vulnerable groups. No significant cooling is forecast in the coming week, indicating the heat wave will remain the dominant weather feature across Italy and parts of western Europe.

Sources

Caldo intenso in settimana [www.cerignolaviva.it]
3 days ago
Terza ondata di calore in arrivo [www.emiliaromagnanews24.it]
7 days ago
5 days ago
6 days ago