Italy faces hottest weekend of the year so far as temperatures set to exceed 40C

 Temperatures are likely to exceed 40C in southern Italy as this weekend is forecast to be the hottest the country has seen so far this year.

Peaks of up to 43C are expected with the southern mainland, as well as the two major islands Sardinia and Sicily the worst affected regions.

From 10 to 11 August, temperatures are also expected to climb to between 39 and 40C across central and northern Italy. Northern cities including Bolzano, Ferrara and Bologna won’t be spared from the intense heat.

Forecasters say that the heatwave will also be accompanied by high humidity for many, increasing the chance of physical discomfort and the risk for vulnerable groups like the elderly and children. A bulletin from the Ministry of Health has issued orange warnings for Campobasso, Frosinone, Latina, Perugia and Rome on 7 August.

From 8 August Perugia and Rome are under red warnings due to the heat and Brescia, Campobasso, Florence, Frosinone, Latina and Rieti have been given orange warnings.

Meteorologists have warned that there is also a possibility of intense thunderstorms, especially in the north of Italy. The Alpine and Appenine regions are likely to see the worst weather.

Why is it so hot in Italy?
Since 15 July, Italy has been under an anticyclone - also known as a heat dome - which moved up over the Mediterranean from the Sahara Desert in Africa. This is a weather system that has slowly circulating air around a central area of low pressure.

Europe is also the fastest-warming continent in the world with its temperatures rising at roughly twice the global average, according to a recent report by the World Meteorological Organization and EU climate monitor Copernicus.

The anticyclone over Italy is slowly getting stronger and stronger causing temperatures to gradually rise. This week temperatures are already reaching 38 to 39C in the central and southern parts of the country. It is set to reach its peak at the weekend and push thermometers up to a peak of 43C.

Meteorologists say this is the beginning of a new heatwave that will last until at least next week. At the moment, they predict Italy is unlikely to see relief from the extreme heat until at least mid-August.

The prolonged high temperatures have also pushed the freezing level in mountain areas to 5,000 metres which may accelerate the melting of Alpine glaciers.