July heatwave: What temperatures to expect in Italy
Another heatwave is forecast to hit Italy this week - here's how hot we can expect things to get across the country and when the weather might break.
Temperatures across Italy will begin to rise this week and stay unusually high for at least 10 days, probably longer, according to meteorologists.
The coming heatwave is forecast to be the most powerful one yet to hit Italy in 2022. The country has already experienced a series of unusually intense and lengthy heatwaves, and is now experiencing the worst drought in 70 years.
EXPLAINED: How could Italy’s drought state of emergency affect you?
While the most recent heatwave in early July had the strongest effect on central-southern parts of Italy, this one will hit the centre-north of the country particularly hard, say experts at the weather news site ilmeteo.
Mercury levels will start to rise across the country from Thursday, July 14th, with the northwest and Emilia Romagna seeing peaks of 35-36°C by Friday.
From the start of next week temperatures will continue to climb towards 40°C in these areas and in many inland parts of the country.
This picture taken on July 2, 2022 in Rome shows the low water level of the river Tiber near the Vittorio Emanuele II bridge, revealing an ancient bridge built under Roman Emperor Nero (Bottom). (Photo by Andreas SOLARO / AFP)
News agency Ansa estimates that temperatures in the Po Valley (i.e. Milan, Mantua, Bologna, Padua, Verona, Ferrara), Tuscany (Florence) and Umbria (Terni) could rise above 38-39°C as early as Friday 15th and stay at those levels until at least July 22nd.
Most of the centre-south of the country is expected to remain several degrees lower than this to begin with, although temperatures in Rome and parts of inland Sicily and Sardinia are likely to reach at least 38°C by the weekend, according to Sky News.
READ ALSO: Italian wildfires ‘three times worse’ than average as heatwave continues
By the second half of the month a new North African anticyclone is forecast to reach Italy, pushing mercury levels up to 42°C in the Po Valley between July 17th and 20th, when temperatures will be at their highest.
It's not just the days that are affected: nights are also anticipated to reach "subtropical" temperatures of above 20°C with high humidity across much of the country, which could easily disrupt sleep.
READ ALSO: ‘Four to five light meals a day’: Italy’s official advice for surviving the heat
In preparation for the heatwave - the fifth Italy has experienced so far this year - the government has released official advice on how to prepare for the extreme weather.
This includes avoiding going outdoors at all between 11am and 6pm; wearing a light-coloured hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors; taking periodic showers to reduce body temperature; and drinking at least two litres of water a day.
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Temperatures across Italy will begin to rise this week and stay unusually high for at least 10 days, probably longer, according to meteorologists.
The coming heatwave is forecast to be the most powerful one yet to hit Italy in 2022. The country has already experienced a series of unusually intense and lengthy heatwaves, and is now experiencing the worst drought in 70 years.
EXPLAINED: How could Italy’s drought state of emergency affect you?
While the most recent heatwave in early July had the strongest effect on central-southern parts of Italy, this one will hit the centre-north of the country particularly hard, say experts at the weather news site ilmeteo.
Mercury levels will start to rise across the country from Thursday, July 14th, with the northwest and Emilia Romagna seeing peaks of 35-36°C by Friday.
From the start of next week temperatures will continue to climb towards 40°C in these areas and in many inland parts of the country.
News agency Ansa estimates that temperatures in the Po Valley (i.e. Milan, Mantua, Bologna, Padua, Verona, Ferrara), Tuscany (Florence) and Umbria (Terni) could rise above 38-39°C as early as Friday 15th and stay at those levels until at least July 22nd.
Most of the centre-south of the country is expected to remain several degrees lower than this to begin with, although temperatures in Rome and parts of inland Sicily and Sardinia are likely to reach at least 38°C by the weekend, according to Sky News.
READ ALSO: Italian wildfires ‘three times worse’ than average as heatwave continues
By the second half of the month a new North African anticyclone is forecast to reach Italy, pushing mercury levels up to 42°C in the Po Valley between July 17th and 20th, when temperatures will be at their highest.
It's not just the days that are affected: nights are also anticipated to reach "subtropical" temperatures of above 20°C with high humidity across much of the country, which could easily disrupt sleep.
READ ALSO: ‘Four to five light meals a day’: Italy’s official advice for surviving the heat
In preparation for the heatwave - the fifth Italy has experienced so far this year - the government has released official advice on how to prepare for the extreme weather.
This includes avoiding going outdoors at all between 11am and 6pm; wearing a light-coloured hat, sunglasses and sunscreen when outdoors; taking periodic showers to reduce body temperature; and drinking at least two litres of water a day.
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