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Italy Braces for Weeklong Sahara-Fueled Heatwave

Stagnant Saharan air is driving temperatures toward 40°C in southern Italy with forecasts pointing to cooler conditions around mid-June.

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Overview

  • An African anticyclone settled over Italy on June 7 is expected to sustain a heatwave with daily highs 6–8°C above June averages for at least seven days.
  • Meteorologists predict peak daytime temperatures of 38–40°C in Sicily, Puglia and Sardinia between June 11 and 15.
  • Northern and central regions will also see unusually high heat, with mid-30s highs and only brief alpine showers offering temporary relief.
  • Persistent warmth will trigger tropical nights with minimum temperatures above 20°C and stagnant air may elevate ozone concentrations in urban centers.
  • Forecast models indicate a shift to cooler Mediterranean air arriving around mid-June, likely easing the intense heat by about June 15.