Italy extends heatwave warnings: seven cities under code red

Italy is experiencing its third heatwave of the summer, with authorities expanding the number of cities under extreme temperature alerts. Seven red and nine orange warnings were in effect for Wednesday, while Sardinia saw temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius, according to the ANSA agency and the Italian Ministry of Health.

• Seven cities under maximum alert

According to the latest bulletin issued by the Ministry of Health, there was a red heatwave code in Florence, Perugia, Bologna, Brescia, Frosinone, Rome and Turin. This level of warning indicates a risk to the health of the entire population, not just vulnerable categories. At the same time, nine cities are under code orange - Cagliari, Campobasso, Latina, Milan, Pescara, Rieti, Trieste, Verona and Viterbo -, where high temperatures and weather conditions can have negative effects especially on the elderly, the chronically ill and other vulnerable categories.

• Sardinia, facing temperatures of 45 degrees

According to forecasts, on the island of Sardinia maximum temperatures will reach 45 degrees Celsius, one of the highest values estimated this summer. The Italian Ministry of Health uses a warning system with four levels: green (no risk), yellow (pre-alert), orange (risk for vulnerable people) and red, reserved for situations in which extreme heat can affect the health of the population as a whole.

• African anticyclone fuels the heat wave

According to ANSA, the heat wave is caused by a strong African anticyclone that carries very hot air masses over the Mediterranean Sea basin. Experts say this phenomenon is being amplified by climate change, which is making extreme heat more frequent and intense in southern Europe. This summer, Italy has already recorded at least seven deaths linked to extreme temperatures.