Overview
- The third prolonged national heatwave is active and is forecast to last at least until about July 20, with a marked re‑intensification expected from Monday, July 13, and inland Sardinia forecast to reach roughly 43°C.
- Unlike the earlier two waves, this phase will fully involve southern Italy as well as central and northern regions, bringing widespread daytime extremes and humid 'tropical nights' in coastal and urban areas.
- A brief weekend breach of the African anticyclone will bring localized thunderstorms and possible intense, hail‑bearing downpours in northern and mountain areas, but models show this will only temporarily relieve the heat.
- Health and emergency agencies have issued warnings: the WHO has stressed Europe is underprepared for recurring extreme heat, Italy has red alerts for Florence and Perugia, and regional authorities have activated hospital plans, cold‑spots, water limits and wildfire responses.
- Experts link the pattern to an omega blocking high, strengthening El Niño and Mediterranean 'tropicalization', and warn of near‑term impacts on mortality, hospital strain, energy supply, agriculture and increased wildfire risk.