Overview
- The heatwave is moving into its most intense phase this week with national bulletins expanding red and orange 'bollini' for multiple cities and forecasts showing a mid‑week peak of extreme heat.
- Meteorologists say an ‘Omega’ atmospheric pattern is trapping Sahara‑derived air over Italy and pushing temperatures above 40°C across the Centre‑South with some Sardinian inland zones forecast to reach 43–45°C.
- Very dry conditions and high temperatures have driven active large fires in Sardinia and Piemonte, forced evacuations, disrupted flights at Olbia Costa Smeralda and left extensive burned areas recorded by satellite systems.
- Authorities have widened health and safety measures including expanded ministry heat alerts, bans or limits on outdoor work during the hottest hours, deployment of water tankers and reinforced firefighting operations.
- Models project the episode to persist through about July 18–20 with a possible easing from cooler north‑easterly air but forecasters warn of uncertainty and the risk that hot nights, dry fuel and lightning‑driven storms will prolong hazards.