Milan and Rome are experiencing higher temperatures than Algiers, Tunis, and Rabat as Italy surpasses North Africa and continues to swelter under the Saharan Anticyclone.
Lorenzo Tedici, Head Meteorologist at iLMeteo.it, confirms numerous Italian temperature peaks have exceeded those recorded in Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Milan registered near-super-tropical nighttime lows of 27°C over the past three days – with daytime highs reaching 37°C. While nighttime lows in Rome were slightly lower at 23-24°C, daytime highs matched the intense heat, hitting 36-38°C. “In contrast,” Tedici stated, “Algiers saw nighttime lows dip to 21°C and daytime highs peak at 34°C, similar to Tunis. Morocco’s capital, Rabat, located on the Atlantic coast, struggled to exceed 30-33°C.”
“The cause of this suffocating heat in our cities,” explained Tedici, “is and has been the north-eastward expansion of the Anticyclone from the heart of the Sahara towards France and north-central Italy.” France is also facing record-breaking temperatures comparable to 2003. Across the Italian peninsula, the heatwave is forecast to persist at least until Saturday the 16th, characterized by lows around 25°C and highs of 38-39°C. Temperatures will vary locally, potentially dropping in some areas while soaring to 41-42°C in others, with the Centre-North expected to be hotter than the South.
A very slight dip in temperatures is anticipated between Sunday the 17th and Wednesday the 20th, bringing lows near 23-24°C while highs remain elevated at 35-36°C.
Detailed forecasts indicate widespread sun, heat, and humidity across Italy throughout the week. Tuesday will see local heat-induced thunderstorms over the Alps and Apennines. Wednesday continues with intense heat, featuring occasional afternoon thunderstorms over northern and central high ground. Thursday will bring very strong sun and heat nationwide, with thunderstorms becoming more widespread over the Alps and extending to southern highlands and nearby areas. The overall trend points to the persistent African Anticyclone maintaining maximum temperatures between 35°C and 40°C.
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