Italy is no exception to the unexpectedly hot summer that has tormented Europe in 2026. From Trieste in the north to Palermo in the south, all 27 of the country’s major cities have been put on “red” alert for dangerously high temperatures. This means that everyone, regardless of age or health status, is at risk for illness caused by prolonged exposure to the outdoor temperature.
Central Italy has been boiling. This past July made history in Tuscany as the region’s hottest month on record since 1955. In a press conference from earlier in the week, Francesco Meneguzzo, Commissioner for the Laboratorio di Meteorologia e Modellistica Ambientale (LaMMA) Consortium, announced that Tuscans have not experienced a series of consecutive heat waves this brutal since 2003.
From June to July, there were reportedly 27 days over 96°F with tropical nights that never fell below 68°F characterized by high humidity. The most recent of the heat waves, number four in counting, which began on Wednesday, July 29 is not expected to diminish until the second week of August.
But why has summer in Italy been so hot this year in particular? According to weather reports, the extreme heat has been caused by a subtropical anticyclone from North Africa that grew in momentum as it traversed the Mediterranean. This weather phenomenon is essentially a system of high atmospheric pressure characterized by dense, dry and warming air. Scientists explain that the anticyclone’s adverse conditions have only been exacerbated by the impact of climate change.
To stay safe and cool, authorities recommend limiting time outside as much as possible during the hottest part of the day between 11 am in the morning to 6 pm in the evening. Guidelines include drinking at least 1.5 liters of water per day, avoiding beverages such as coffee and alcohol, and wearing light, breathable clothing.
Looking forward to the future, this intense heat could become routine if proper precautions are not implemented by the government. The president of Tuscany, Eugenio Giani has promised that by early September, the Regional Council will present a new law on green regeneration. Such a policy proposal will involve investment in new urban green spaces and intervention on reservoirs and lakes affected by severe summer droughts.
“Planning based on reliable scientific data means building more resilient regions and communities,” states Environmental Councilor, David Barontini. Looking ahead, Tuscany needs to establish sustainable infrastructure capable of combating the intense heat and mitigating the worst effects of global warming in Europe.
(Francesca Negri)
