Mediterranean heatwave persists, Italy faces fourth wave

The Mediterranean marine heatwave has deepened, now classified by NOAA as a Category‑4 event. Sea‑surface temperatures in the western and central basin remain near 33 °C—over 5 °C above normal—and are projected to stay above 30 °C through early August. Italy is enduring its fourth summer heatwave. After a brief cooling spell of July 26, when a fast‑moving Atlantic front produced heavy thunderstorms across the north‑central regions, an African‑origin anticyclone is set to dominate the western Mediterranean from the weekend of 29 July, bringing sustained sunshine, “tropical night” conditions with nocturnal minima above 23‑25 °C, and intense rain, hail and strong winds across Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, Emilia‑Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio and neighboring regions.

Forecasts now call for temperatures of 38‑40 °C in the Po Valley, peaks above 40 °C on Sardinia, and night‑time lows struggling to drop below 24 °C in many urban areas. The persistent high‑pressure ridge will further 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 failures, drought and heightened landslide risk, prompting a shift toward high‑tech vertical farms. Health authorities warn that the prolonged heat, humidity and extreme nocturnal warmth pose severe risks to the elderly, children and outdoor workers, urging hydration, limited exposure and heat‑risk planning for workplaces. Industry groups and government agencies continue to press for accelerated adaptation measures, including adjusted work schedules, intensified irrigation of public spaces, financial support for aquaculture operators and promotion of invasive‑species consumption to mitigate ecological and economic damage.