Italy faces peak heatwave with nine cities on red alert as temperatures approach 42 degrees
A North African anticyclone will lift temperatures up to 10 degrees above seasonal averages across central and southern Italy through 28 August, triggering red alerts in Rome, Bari, and seven other provincial capitals.
Heatwave intensifies across central and southern Italy
Italy faces an intensifying heatwave driven by a North African anticyclone, with conditions expected to peak on Friday, 28 August. The Ministry of Health, which monitors 27 provincial capitals through its national prevention system, will place nine cities under level 3 red alert on Friday: Bari, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Latina, Messina, Palermo, Reggio Calabria, and Rome. On Thursday, 27 August, red alerts apply to Campobasso and Palermo, while eleven cities remain under orange alert. Only three monitored cities (Milan, Turin, and Trieste) remain on green status with no elevated heat risk throughout the period.
- Initial heatwave surge brings 40°C to Caltanissetta, with red alerts in Campobasso and Palermo.
- Campania regional warning begins at 08:00 as eleven cities move to orange alert.
- Heatwave reaches peak with nine cities under red alert and temperatures forecast up to 42°C in Foggia.
- Temperatures ease in central Italy to 34°C while southern regions remain under high heat.
- Campania heat advisory ends at 20:00 as cooler air reaches central-northern regions.
Projected temperature peaks by region
Forecasts from meteorological service iLMeteo.it indicate that temperatures will rise 8 to 10 degrees Celsius above seasonal averages across central and southern Italy. Foggia will reach a maximum of 42 degrees Celsius on Friday, while Benevento, Cagliari, Caltanissetta, Cosenza, Nuoro, and Reggio Calabria will record 41 degrees Celsius. Frosinone and Terni are forecast to reach 40 degrees Celsius, with Rome and Ascoli Piceno reaching 39 degrees Celsius. In eastern Sicily, localized peaks may reach 44 to 45 degrees Celsius, while inland Sardinia anticipates highs of 44 degrees Celsius accompanied by nighttime temperatures that remain above 25 degrees Celsius.
The new heatwave will hit the central-southern regions hard and partly Emilia Romagna.
- Foggia
- 42 °C
- Benevento
- 41 °C
- Cagliari
- 41 °C
- Caltanissetta
- 41 °C
- Cosenza
- 41 °C
- Nuoro
- 41 °C
- Reggio Calabria
- 41 °C
- Frosinone
- 40 °C
- Terni
- 40 °C
- Rome
- 39 °C
Regional health advisories and humidity risks
In Campania, the regional Civil Protection centre issued a weather alert running from 08:00 on Thursday, 27 August, until 20:00 on Sunday, 30 August. Regional authorities project temperatures 6 to 7 degrees Celsius above average, accompanied by evening and nighttime humidity exceeding 60 to 70 percent along coastal areas, with humidity reaching 80 percent in Naples. Civil protection officials recommend staying indoors during peak afternoon hours, hydrating frequently, avoiding outdoor physical activity, and ensuring proper indoor ventilation. Health authorities placed social and healthcare services on maximum alert to assist vulnerable populations, including elderly citizens, children, and individuals with cardiovascular conditions.
Environmental conditions and northern outlook
Northern and northwestern Italy will experience lower temperatures, with highs around 30 degrees Celsius in the northwest and strong thunderstorms forecast over the Alps and Prealps on Friday. In Emilia Romagna, high humidity will affect coastal areas while Garbino winds produce torrid inland heat. High temperatures also coincide with emergency operations in the province of Bari. A wildfire burned approximately 500 hectares of Alta Murgia National Park across Gravina in Puglia, Poggiorsini, and Corato, requiring 15 vehicles, 12 firefighting teams, and three Canadair aircraft to control the flames.
Weekend forecast and weather transition
Atmospheric conditions will begin to diverge over the weekend as cooler air moves into northern and central Italy. Temperatures in central areas will decline on Saturday, 29 August, bringing Rome and Florence down toward 34 degrees Celsius. Northern and central regions will see broader relief by Sunday, 30 August, when the Campania regional advisory concludes. Southern Italy and the islands will remain under subtropical anticyclone influence, with temperatures of 38 to 39 degrees Celsius persisting into early September.
Already from Saturday the extreme temperatures will start to retreat toward the south, and Sunday will bring relief to the central-northern regions.
