After the two intense heat waves which marked the end of May and the second half of June, Italy is preparing for a new surge in temperature. The third The heat wave of summer 2026 is now upon us and, in the next few days, will bring temperatures back close to 40 degrees in several regions.
The heat will intensify again from Wednesday July 8, when maximum temperatures will reach widespread 38-39 degreesBut it won't be just the daytime values that will make this phase particularly difficult: the so-called tropical nights, with lows above 25 degrees that will make rest more difficult, especially in cities.
Heatwave, third heat wave: the most affected regions
The first to be hit by the heat wave will be the Po Valley, with peaks of 38-39 degrees between Emilia Romagna and Lombardy and lower Lombardy. For Wednesday 8 July the Ministry of Health has also scheduled the orange stamp for heat and mugginess risk in nine cities: Bologna, Brescia, Florence, Milan, Perugia, Pescara, Turin, Venice e Verona.
From Thursday the heart of the heat wave will move towards the Central-Southern Italy and Sardinia, where the highest temperatures are expected. Between Friday and Saturday, temperatures on the island could exceed 40 degrees, while temperatures of up to 39 degrees are also expected in Tuscany and Puglia.
The heat will also be felt in large cities such as Rome, Florence e Bologna, where the heat will remain intense even during the night hours.
How long will the new heat wave last?
The most intense phase is expected between Wednesday and the weekend. Temperatures could then temporarily drop, especially in the north, but the respite is expected to be short-lived.
A new rise in temperatures is expected starting Sunday, with values returning to around 35 degrees in many areas of Italy. Trends also indicate a possible further intensification of the hot between July 15th and 20th, when a new expansion of the African anticyclone could bring back temperatures above 40 degrees in different areas of the country.
The summer of 2026 is thus confirmed to be among the hottest in recent years, with heat waves increasingly frequent, long-lasting, and intense.
