The fourth heat wave of the summer of 2026, with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees in some cities and reaching 48 degrees today in Naples, will last a long time: at least another 10 days, until after mid-August, meteorologists warn.
We'll have to wait to breathe again: today, 26 cities are still under a red heat alert from the Ministry of Health, dropping to 21 on Saturday, August 8th. Cagliari was at the highest risk level on both days.
40 degrees in Cagliari
Temperatures are expected to rise further today in Cagliari and the island's eastern coastal areas. As the Civil Protection weather alert bulletin explains, moderate winds will bring the warm air from the inland areas to the eastern parts of the island, particularly towards the Metropolitan City of Cagliari, during the afternoon of Friday, August 7th. Highs will reach 40 degrees Celsius.
To reduce health risks for the public, the COC has decided to maintain the Tuvixeddu Park closure for the entire day today. The cemeteries of San Michele, Pirri, and Bonaria will be closed during the hottest hours (12:30 PM - 4:00 PM), as will the Roman Amphitheater, the Covered Promenade, and the Crypt of Santa Restituta.
The hottest summer ever
A completely unusual summer: in almost three months (May 24 - August 17), we can identify more than two months of exceptional heat, brought by four waves from Africa. This year's pace has therefore been relentless: two weeks of extreme heat alternating with just one week of calm.
The result is that we're on track to experience, says meteorologist Lorenzo Tedici, "the hottest summer in Italian history." Only after mid-August can we see the arrival of a cooler front of air descending from Northern Europe in the Alps: if these projections are confirmed, the week of August 17th to 23rd could mark the start of slightly below-average temperatures, thus bringing the fourth African wave to an end.
(Unioneonline)
