The first real heatwave of the season is on its way. The advance of a North African high pressure system will lead to a consolidation of atmospheric stability over the next few days, accompanied by a progressive and marked increase in temperatures. Temperatures will reach 40 degrees Celsius in central Sardinia, while intense heat will dominate along the coast.

Driving this dramatic shift is the expansion toward the Mediterranean of a powerful anticyclonic promontory of subtropical origin, the famous African anticyclone, ready to act as a shield against weather disturbances and banish rainfall across the country. The push for record heat will come from air masses drawn directly from the Sahara Desert (between Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya). On their way to Italy, these scorching, dry currents will cross the Mediterranean, loading up with moisture in the lower layers. The change will be tangible starting today: the sun will dominate everywhere, with highs between 28 and 32°C in the Po Valley (Bologna will be among the hottest cities) and around 30°C in the central-southern part of the country and on the islands.

The real African heatwave will then flare up from mid-week. From Wednesday the 17th onwards, the northern plains and much of central and southern Italy will see temperatures widely exceed 35°C, with peaks of 39/40°C in Bologna, Florence, Foggia , and inland Sardinia.

On the coast, however, the high humidity will transform the heat into intense mugginess, amplifying the feeling of discomfort, especially at night due to the total absence of wind.

(Unioneonline)

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