Italy braces for fourth heat wave as African anticyclone returns

A brief cooling spell ends on Sunday, 26 July 2026, as a fast‑moving Atlantic front brings heavy thunderstorms to the north‑central regions. Meteorologists say the instability will give way next week to a powerful African anticyclone that will drive Italy’s fourth summer heat wave. Forecast models project temperatures of 38 – 40 °C in the Po Valley and peaks above 40 °C in Sardinia, with night‑time lows struggling to fall below 24 °C in many urban areas. The most intense rainfall and hail are expected over Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, Emilia‑Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany and Lazio.

The persistent high‑pressure ridge will also raise sea‑surface temperatures, aggravating coastal heat and stressing marine ecosystems—mussel and fish farms are already reporting losses. Inland, aging farmers on the Amalfi coast face crop losses from extreme heat and landslide risk, prompting calls for high‑tech solutions. Health authorities warn that the prolonged heat and humidity will pose severe risks to the elderly, children and vulnerable populations.