Italy is bracing for another week of extreme weather, with searing heat followed by torrential rain, a leading forecaster has warned.
Meteorologist Lorenzo Tedici, media director for iLMeteo.it, said Tuesday that “a new African heatwave” would hit the islands, central and southern regions, while the north faced severe storms.
African heatwave first
Temperatures are expected to soar in the coming days. In Sardinia, highs could reach 42°C in Cagliari and 41°C in Oristano. Sicily may see 38°C, while Rome is forecast to reach 35-36°C with high humidity. Terni could climb to 37°C.
Torrential rain to follow
From Thursday, conditions will reverse sharply. More than a month’s worth of rain – over 150 litres per square metre – is forecast for upper Piedmont and northwest Lombardy.
Severe weather will extend across northern regions and Tuscany, with the downpours linked to an Atlantic low pressure system connected to a former Caribbean hurricane that recently reached the British Isles.
Rain will hit the South on Saturday, followed by a brief respite Sunday, before more showers return early next week across the North, Tuscany, Umbria and the Marche.
Day-by-day forecast
- Tuesday 26 August: Mostly sunny in the North and Centre; thunderstorms in the Apennines; hot in the South.
- Wednesday 27 August: Thunderstorms in the Alps and northern plains; sunny and hot elsewhere.
- Thursday 28 August: Severe rainfall in the North; worsening conditions in Tuscany; hot and sunny in the South.
- Outlook: Rain and thunderstorms across central and southern regions until Saturday, with unsettled conditions continuing into next week.
