Other cities on the list are Ancona, Bolzano, Brescia, Frosinone, Milan, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Turin, Venice, Verona and Viterbo, as per Wanted In Rome. With Latina joining the list, the number will go up to 16 on Wednesday.
What the red alert means
The red alert, known as bollino rosso, signals emergency conditions. It means there’s a risk of negative health effects not just for vulnerable groups such as the elderly, young children and people with chronic illnesses, but also for healthy adults who are active outdoors.
An African anticyclone called ‘Cerberus’ is behind the current heatwave, keeping temperatures high with minimal difference between day and night. In the Po Valley, daytime highs are hitting 37-38°C and some areas are seeing even higher peaks.
Turin may reach 39°C, while Rome and Naples are likely to stay just under 36°C. Nighttime temperatures are staying high too, often not falling below 24-25°C across many regions. These ‘tropical nights’ make it hard for the body to recover and can disrupt sleep.
Meteorologists say this unusual heatwave could match the severity of the extreme summer in 2003. Conditions aren’t expected to improve until early July.
The Italian government has advised people to stay out of direct sunlight from 11 am to 6 pm. Extra attention should be given to elderly and vulnerable individuals during this period.
More high temperatures are expected for Europe next week as another heatwave moves in. The European Space Agency reports that Italy, Spain, France, Germany, and Poland could face extreme conditions. The agency tracks both land and sea temperatures using its satellites.
Other parts of Europe are already seeing intense heat. Greece has recorded temperatures of 40°C or higher in recent days. The Czech Republic’s meteorological office warned that weekend temperatures may climb above 38°C. Meanwhile, parts of England in the UK are expected to see heavy showers and gusty winds today.
