Italian authorities have placed all 27 cities covered by the national heat-monitoring system under the highest level of health alert as an intense heatwave pushes temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in several parts of the country.
The red alert indicates that the extreme conditions pose health risks not only to older people, children and those with existing illnesses, but to the general population. Residents have been advised to avoid direct sunlight during the hottest hours, remain hydrated and reduce strenuous outdoor activity.
The latest episode is Italy’s fourth major heatwave of the summer. Messina and Reggio Calabria were among the final cities to be upgraded from amber to red, placing every location monitored by the Health Ministry at the maximum warning level for the first time in 2026.
Authorities in Rome and Genoa have opened air-conditioned public spaces to provide relief, particularly for vulnerable residents. Measures have included access to cooled museums and public film screenings as officials seek to reduce exposure to dangerous temperatures.
The prolonged heat has also worsened drought conditions and increased the threat of wildfires. Piedmont declared a drought emergency after river and water-storage levels fell sharply, while emergency services across the country remained on alert for heat-related illnesses and fires.
Meteorologists attributed the extreme conditions to a powerful North African high-pressure system carrying hot, dry air across the Mediterranean. Forecasters said significant relief was unlikely before the weekend.
