We are moving towards summer (the solstice is June 21st) and the great heat is coming. Starting Monday, June 17th, aintense heat wave, brought byAfrican anticyclone Minos, will extend throughout Italy. Temperatures will be around 8-10°C higher than seasonal averages, due to the influx of humid and warm air masses of subtropical origin, coming from the Sahara and conveyed towards the Mediterranean by the heart of the arriving African anticyclone .
La mercury column it will rise everywhere, with peaks reaching and exceeding 40°C, between Wednesday and Thursday, especially in the center and south of the Peninsula. With schools closed and the holidays coming up, many Italians will finally look for some refreshment by going to the seaside.
Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th June are the hottest days
I warmer days of the week will probably be Wednesday 19 and Thursday 20 June, with local peaks up to 42°C expected in Puglia, Sardinia and Sicily, especially in the hottest hours. In the Center and South, the humidity will be relatively low but the heat will be scorching.
In the North, albeit with local peaks above 35°C, the heat will be high due to the soil still soaked from previous rains. Only in Veneto will there be some residual bad weather with some warnings for hydraulic risk in some sectors of the region.
Da Monday 17 June, high temperatures are expected in several Italian regions:
In Puglia and Sicily, peaks of 35°C will be reached, while in Campania and Basilicata (Benevento and Matera) maximums of 33°C will be expected. In the Centre-North, the mercury will continue to rise.
Tuesday 18 June, the heat will increase further:
In Sicily and Sardinia the maximum temperatures will reach up to 38°C, with possible local peaks of 42°C, especially in the province of Sassari. 36°C is expected in Benevento and Foggia, while Rome, Florence and Frosinone will record temperatures around 34°C. Even on the northern plains, values of up to 35/36°C will be reached.
Wednesday 19 June will mark the beginning of the hottest phase:
In Sardinia peaks of 40/41°C can be reached, while in Sicily and Puglia maximums of 39/40°C can be expected.
Thursday 20 June it will be an extremely hot day across almost all of Italy:
In the South, with particular reference to Sardinia, Sicily and Puglia, peaks above 40°C are expected. Even in the Center it can reach 40°C. In the North, temperatures will be lower but with a very muggy climate.
Friday 21 June, the intense heat will continue to affect Italy:
High temperatures of 40°C are expected in the central and southern regions, with high heat in the Po Valley. Temperatures will be 10-15°C higher than average for the third ten days of June.
A bit of a breather at the weekend
Over the weekend, thearrival of storms will determine a gradual decrease in temperatures. On Saturday 22 June, a disturbance could lower temperatures in the North, bringing them back to the seasonal average. In the South the heat will persist, albeit slightly decreasing.
On Sunday 23 June, the situation should also improve in the Centre, with a further drop in temperatures. In the South, however, the heat will be less intense, but always present.
