The heat doesn't stop in ItalyThe country has entered the most intense phase of the third heat wave of the summer of 2026, fueled by a African anticyclone It's set to dominate the central-western Mediterranean for much of the week. Temperatures will remain significantly above seasonal averages, especially in central and southern Italy and on the islands.
Today the heat will increase further, with temperatures ranging between 31 and 39 degrees Celsius across much of the country, and peaks above 40 in Sicily and Sardinia. In the following days, the core of the subtropical air mass will remain extended across North Africa, southwestern Europe, and the central Mediterranean, also involving Mediterranean Spain, southern France, and part of the Balkans.
In Italy the more extreme conditions will once again affect the Center-Sud, where the thermometer could reach 38-40 degrees. On the two major islands, even higher values are not excluded, with local peaks close to 45 degrees.
Sardinia and inland areas towards the highest peaks
The hottest areas will not necessarily be the coastal ones or the far South. The highest values are expected above all in the plains and inland areas, where the hot air tends to stagnate for longer. Sardinia could record the highest temperatures in the countryIn the Oristano, Campidano, and Nuoro areas, temperatures could reach 40-43 degrees, with locally higher peaks in areas further from the sea.
Extreme heat also in the central regionsIn Tuscany, the Val di Chiana and the plains between Florence, Prato, and Pistoia could reach temperatures of 40-41 degrees Celsius. In Umbria, the Terni basin and the Perugia area could reach 41-42 degrees Celsius. In Lazio, however, the most exposed areas will be the Frosinone area and the Sacco Valley, where temperatures above 40 degrees are not ruled out.
Wednesday July 15th le temperatures will rise further Slightly. Inland areas, temperatures are expected to reach between 35 and 39 degrees Celsius, while on the major islands, temperatures could rise again to 40-43 degrees Celsius. Over the course of the week, however, some areas of Sicily and Sardinia could see temperatures even higher, locally approaching 45 degrees.
Red dots in four cities, seven on Wednesday
The increase in temperatures is also reflected in the Ministry of Health bulletin. On Tuesday 14th July, four cities will be marked with a red dot, the maximum alert level that signals possible consequences for the health of the entire population and not just the most vulnerable individuals.
Florence and Perugia, already affected by the alert in previous days, are joined by Brescia and Turin. The number will rise to seven on Wednesday, July 15, when the red dot will also affect Bologna, Frosinone and Rome.
Tuesday will also be eleven cities in orange, a level associated with potentially dangerous conditions, especially for the elderly, children, and people with chronic conditions. The list includes Ancona, Bologna, Cagliari, Campobasso, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Rieti, Rome, Verona, and Viterbo.
In Lazio, Rome and Frosinone will move from orange to red on Wednesday. Latina, Rieti, and Viterbo will remain orange, while Civitavecchia will be placed at a pre-alert level.
More unstable North, possible change from Sunday
While the Centre-South will remain mostly stable and sunny, in the North the heat will be more muggy but less extreme, with temperatures generally not exceeding 35-36 degrees. The northern regions will continue to be affected by the disturbances passing over central Europe, with greater variability and the risk of even severe thunderstorms.
They are showers expected in the central-eastern Alps, while between Wednesday and Thursday, instability could extend to the Po Valley and the northern Adriatic coast. These phenomena could be locally accompanied by hail and gusts of wind. The weather is expected to return to mostly stable conditions on Thursday, July 16th., with some afternoon clouds over the mountains and temperatures remaining largely stable, except for a slight drop in the north. The heat wave will continue to weigh on the rest of the country, with no real respite, even at night.
The persistence of the anticyclonic dome will also keep the freezing level at very high altitudes, between 4.400 and 5.000 meters, with serious consequences for glaciers and mountain ecosystems.
An a possible turning point could come from Sunday 19 JulyProjections indicate the entry of a North Atlantic front, initially into the northern regions and then into central and southern Italy, with worsening weather and a sharp drop in temperatures. However, this scenario is still uncertain and will need to be confirmed in the coming hours.
