Italy experiences its hottest summer in a century amid ongoing heatwaves

Italy is currently experiencing its hottest summer in a century, with meteorologists confirming that July 2026 surpassed the previous record set in 2003. A fourth consecutive wave of extreme heat is gripping the country, with temperatures in Afragola, Naples, reaching a record-breaking 48 degrees Celsius. The heat is affecting the entire nation, prompting the Civil Protection Department to place 26 cities on "red alert" status.

The human toll of the extreme weather has been significant, including an 81-year-old man in Bisceglie, Apulia, who died from suspected cardiac arrest while preparing to swim. Agricultural regions, particularly on the island of Sardinia, have reported severe damage to crops and livestock, leading farmers to request a formal declaration of a state of emergency.

The extreme conditions are expected to persist for at least another ten days, with forecasts indicating that the heat will continue through mid-August. Beyond Italy, the heatwave is also affecting other parts of the Mediterranean, including Spain, France, and the Balkans, where temperatures consistently exceed 40 degrees Celsius.