Unpredictable weather as the summer exodus begins
Thunderstorms along the Adriatic, crowded highways—and starting next week, the heat will return
Rome – Italy is kicking off one of the busiest weekends of the summer with a roller-coaster of weather. Through about July 28, a weather system will bring rain and, in some cases, severe thunderstorms, primarily affecting the Adriatic regions from Friuli-Venezia Giulia through Emilia-Romagna to the Marche and Abruzzo. Civil Protection has issued a yellow alert for Calabria, Apulia, and the coastal areas of Emilia-Romagna—intense rainfall, gusty winds, and localized hail are expected. On Saturday, the thunderstorms will also reach the northwest, and on Sunday, central and northern Italy will be the focus.
However, this cooling is only temporary. Starting on July 29, the African high-pressure system will build up again, initially causing temperatures to rise to 32 to 35 degrees. According to current forecasts, the heat wave will peak in the first few days of August: Temperatures are expected to exceed 35 degrees in many areas, reaching up to 40 degrees in some regions.
Meanwhile, the first major summer exodus is underway on the roads. A red alert is in effect on the highway network for Friday afternoon, as well as for Saturday morning, when millions of Italians will head for the coast. On Sunday afternoon, the return traffic of travelers heading back home will follow, again with a red alert. Experience shows that the A4 between Venice and Trieste toward the Adriatic seaside resorts, as well as the A34 toward Gorizia, will be particularly congested.
If you have the flexibility, you should avoid rush hour and drive early in the morning or late in the evening. The driving bans for trucks over 7.5 metric tons provide some relief: They are in effect on Friday from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Sunday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Drivers should also keep an eye on the weather: Especially on the Adriatic routes, a sudden summer thunderstorm with heavy rain and hydroplaning can quickly bring a trip to a halt. As the weather system moves away early next week, stable—and hot—summer weather will set in across the country.
