The coming week will see “one of the most intense heatwaves of the past decade” in Italy, with several Italian cities expected to set new records for the highest ever June temperatures.
Highs of 37°C to 40°C are forecast across the north and centre, including in Rome, Florence, Bologna, Milan and Turin.
Most of the south, meanwhile, will reach temperatures of around 35°C.
The peak is expected to hit between Thursday and Friday, when parts of Piedmont could get as hot as 42°C.
Italian hospitals are preparing to deal with a wave of heat-related illnesses especially among the country’s large elderly population.
Italian authorities have encouraged the elderly and those at risk to stay indoors and keep hydrated during the heatwave.
