Italy issues warning over impending heatwave

High pressure will sweep across the country in the coming days, bringing the heat of Sub-Saharan Africa to Italian shores.

The Ministry of Health has issued a level three warning for tomorrow in Bologna, Bolzano, Florence and Turin, which is likely to be expanded to other cities over the weekend.

This is the highest risk level on the Ministry’s scale and indicates “a state of emergency (a heatwave) with possible negative health effects for healthy and active people, not just risk groups”.

Antonio Sanò, the director of weather website ilmeteo.it, said Sunday and Monday will be the hottest days in Italy.

“40C in Puglia, Calabria, Sicilia, then a record 40C in Rome which will feel like 42C, 39C in Florence with a perceived temperature of 42C, and 38C in Bologna where it will feel like 43C,” he said in an online statement.

This will be the hottest heatwave in Italy since the “infamous” summer of 2003, he added.

The Ministry of Health has published an online list of tips on how to stay safe in the heat. These include moderating coffee consumption, switching from meat to pasta and fish at dinner time, and wearing cotton and linen.