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Italy Braces for Record Heat Wave Over May 1 Holiday

An African anticyclone is set to drive temperatures to unprecedented highs for early May, with inland regions facing the most intense heat before a cold front reverses conditions by Sunday.

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Overview

  • Temperatures are forecast to reach 33–34 °C in inland Sardinia and Sicily, and 27–28 °C in the Po Valley on May 1–3, far exceeding seasonal norms.
  • Coastal zones, particularly along the Adriatic, will experience milder conditions due to cooler sea surface temperatures.
  • Meteorologists highlight the anomalous timing of this heat wave, linking it to broader global warming trends and extended warm seasons.
  • By Sunday, a Northern European cold front is expected to bring thunderstorms, hail, and a sharp drop in temperatures to northern Italy.
  • This heat wave follows an unusually wet April, marking a stark transition to early summer-like conditions across much of the country.