Overview
- Forecasts this mid‑July show the third major heatwave of the season strengthening and spreading over central and southern Italy with local peaks of about 41–43°C in Sardinia and widespread highs in the mid‑ to high‑30s.
- Meteorological agencies say the surge is caused by an 'Omega' atmospheric configuration that traps hot desert air, prevents cooler Atlantic inflows and promotes clear skies and strong daytime heating.
- Authorities have raised fire alerts for Sicily, Calabria and Puglia while Sardinian blazes have forced temporary airport and road closures and prompted firefighting mobilization and targeted evacuations.
- Recent large fires in Piedmont destroyed roughly 700,000 trees across about 900 hectares, a loss regional officials called an ecological catastrophe that will take years to recover from.
- Europe’s Copernicus/EFFIS system continues to show extreme fire danger and warns the most critical phase of the season may still lie ahead, which could increase evacuations, travel disruptions and pressure on emergency services.