Meteorologists Predict Heat Wave in Italy Will Continue

JAKARTA - The fourth heat wave of this summer in Italy is expected to continue for at least the next 10 days, meteorologists said on Thursday.

Meteorologists say the heat wave - which has pushed temperatures to over 40°C (104°F) in various cities and reached 48°C (118.4°F) in Naples - is likely to last until mid-August, reports Anadolu from ANSA (7/8).

This extreme heat is also expected to trigger severe thunderstorms in northern Italy.

A total of 26 cities will still be on red alert status - the highest level of heat warning from the Ministry of Health - on Friday, with the number expected to drop to 21 cities on Saturday.

However, the perceived temperature (apparent temperature) is expected to remain above the warning threshold.

Meteorologist Lorenzo Tedici told ANSA, Italy is heading for a record "hottest summer in Italian history."

Meanwhile, atmospheric physicist Lorenzo Giovannini from the University of Trento said this summer is likely to be one of the hottest ever recorded.

The record high temperature was recorded on Thursday, where the thermometer showed 48°C at the Naples Central Station.

The hot temperatures also triggered forest and land fires in several areas. A fire devoured tons of garbage at an ecological waste management facility in the province of Pavia - which is suspected to have started due to spontaneous combustion due to hot temperatures - where firefighters worked all night to control the blaze.

Firefighters are also battling forest and land fires in Rocca di Cambio (L'Aquila province), the province of Cosenza, and Mount Moregallo (Lecco province), where hot temperatures and winds exacerbate the flames.