Italy is facing one of the hottest Ferragosto holidays of the last few years. A powerful area of high pressure from the Sahara has the country firmly in its grip and is causing an exceptional heatwave. The Ministry of Health has reacted and declared the highest warning level "red alert" in 16 cities for tomorrow, August 15. The metropolitan areas in northern and central Italy are particularly affected.
Record temperatures from Milan to Rome
The epicenter of the heatwave stretches from the Alps to the capital region. The cities with a red warning include Milan, Bolzano, Bologna, Turin, Genoa, Florence and Rome. Temperatures are reaching extreme levels. In Genoa, it felt like 45 degrees, while Milan experienced "tropical nights" with lows of 27 degrees. This means that it is currently hotter in parts of Italy than in North African capitals such as Algiers or Tunis. The extreme heat has already led to the Pope's general audience being moved to the air-conditioned Aula Paolo VI.
Authorities urge caution, severe weather in the south
In view of the persistent stress, authorities throughout the country are appealing to the population to follow the usual precautionary measures: avoid the hottest midday hours, drink enough and refrain from heavy physical exertion. In Florence, special "climate refuges" have been set up to offer protection from the heat. While most of the country is sweating, other regions are struggling with the opposite. Naples was hit by a severe thunderstorm with hail, and violent storms also swept across Sardinia, leading to localized flooding. The south was largely spared the highest heat warning, with cities such as Palermo, Bari and Cagliari being classified as green.
