Mercalli: Heatwave to Persist Until August 10, Then a Slight Respite
Italy is in the grip of an intense heatwave, and climatologist Luca Mercalli warns that the worst is not yet over. In a recent interview, Mercalli stated that the current scorching temperatures will persist at least until August 10, with the African anticyclone dominating the weather across much of the country. This week, thermometers are expected to reach peaks of 38-39°C, with spikes up to 40°C in inland areas. For Mercalli, this is no longer an anomaly to be recounted with astonishment each time it reappears: the dynamics, he argues, are the same that Italy has known since 2003, when the first major heatwave caught Europe unprepared.
However, there is a glimmer of hope on the horizon. According to Mercalli, a slight easing of the high pressure is expected over the weekend, but this will be limited mainly to the North. The end of the heatwave, he concludes, is not yet in sight, as the medium-term trend shows no signs of change. Meanwhile, the intense heat is fueling the risk of afternoon thunderstorms in Sicily, Calabria, and the Apennine regions. These phenomena, Brescia warns, would not remain confined to mountainous areas but tend to spill over into the plains and adjacent valleys, among the most at-risk areas of Central-Southern Italy.
Mercalli also highlights a broader concern: heatwaves are becoming more frequent and longer as global temperatures rise. He predicts that summer 2026 has a high probability of becoming the hottest in Italian climatic history, potentially surpassing 2003, and he ominously notes that it could be “the coolest among future summers.” This serves as a stark reminder of the ongoing climate crisis and the urgent need for adaptation and mitigation.
As Italy braces for a few more days of intense heat, Mercalli advises caution, especially for vulnerable populations. The respite, when it comes, will be partial and temporary. The long-term trend is clear: heatwaves are the new normal, and Italy must prepare for a future of extreme weather events.
Shimanta Das 
