Italy under extreme heat, thermometer hits 40°C and three people lose their lives

Another powerful heatwave is expected to engulf Italy, as the African anticyclone will remain over the Mediterranean at least throughout the August holiday weekend.

Although the passage of cooler air beyond the Alps brought temporary relief during the weekend and reduced the number of cities under red alert, the situation is worsening again. Temperatures are forecast to rise across most of Italian territory.

Five cities that were at the yellow alert level yesterday have today returned to the orange level. Cagliari and Turin are the only cities that remain in the pre-alert phase.

Meteorologist Mattia Gussoni predicts the return of very high temperatures. In many areas of central and northern Italy, as well as on the main islands, maximum values are expected to range from 36 to 38°C.

According to experts, these conditions confirm the prolonged heatwave that has gripped Italy for weeks. The persistent presence of the African anticyclone is causing not only high temperatures but also increased difficulties due to high humidity.

Particularly high humidity levels have been measured in Liguria, reaching 97% in Pieve di Teco and 95% in Camogli.

Due to the combination of heat and high humidity, the human body feels temperatures even higher than the recorded values.

The extreme weather has also had fatal consequences. It is reported that three people died while on the beach: a 68-year-old woman in the Salerno area, an 80-year-old man in Ansedonia, and a 61-year-old man in Liguria.

The heat has simultaneously increased the risk of fires. Firefighting operations continue in the Gorizia area, while other outbreaks have been reported in Tuscany, including in Massa Marittima, in the province of Grosseto, and in Anghiari, in the Arezzo area.

Extreme temperatures are also favoring the creation of powerful atmospheric phenomena. After the thermometer exceeded 40°C in some areas, including Florence, meteorologists warn that atmospheric instability will increase.

The interaction of cooler currents at high altitudes with the heat accumulated on the ground surface could produce strong thunderstorms, hail, and powerful downdrafts, potentially accompanied by violent winds.

Forecasts indicate that during tomorrow, storms will intensify, mainly in northern Italy. They are also expected to affect the inland areas of the Apennines in central and southern Italy, with hail being the main threat.

Meanwhile, another unusual phenomenon has been observed in Puglia. In Zapponeta, in the Foggia area, a vortex called a “Dust Devil” formed and was filmed by motorists on a provincial road.

According to meteorologists’ explanations, the vortex forms as a result of the intense heating of the ground surface. Large temperature differences generate vertical air currents, which create vortices lasting from a few minutes to about 20 minutes.

Experts clarify that, despite its unusual appearance, this phenomenon can also occur during extreme heat conditions in the Mediterranean.

Rain and storms are expected to increase tomorrow. From Wednesday, however, the heatwave is expected to strengthen again, bringing very high temperatures back to most of Italy.