Rome - Italy is facing turbulent weather days that will divide the country into two completely opposing zones. This is due to the former hurricane "Erin", whose low pressure system is approaching the north of the country from the Atlantic. While severe storms can be expected there, the system pumps hot air from Africa into the south and causes an intense heatwave.
Red alert and heavy rain in the north
The authorities have issued the highest red warning level for the northern Italian regions, particularly Lombardy. Heavy and prolonged rainfall, thunderstorms and local storms are expected. The first rainfall has already started in the province of Varese. As a precautionary measure due to the storm and rain warnings, the city of Milan has ordered the closure of all public parks and green spaces to ensure the safety of citizens. The storms are initially concentrated in the north-west, including Piedmont and Liguria, before moving further towards the Alps and north-east during the evening and night.
Heatwave with peak temperatures of up to 40 degrees
The situation is completely different in central and southern Italy. Here, the hot air coming in from Africa is causing a drastic rise in temperatures. Temperatures of up to 35 degrees are expected in the central regions. In the south, the thermometer even climbs to 37 to 38 degrees. Absolute peaks of up to 40 degrees are possible in Sardinia. This extreme heat is expected to last until Friday. The weather front is not expected to reach the south and center of the country until the weekend, bringing rain and thunderstorms and a noticeable cooling down to seasonal averages.
