Temperatures of up to 40 degrees in Rome later this week.

Italian weather forecasters are warning of "one of the most intense heatwaves of the last decade", with temperatures in Rome set to tip 40 degrees Celsius later this week.

Temperatures are predicted to peak at 37-40 degrees between 27 and 29 June in cities such as Bologna, Milan, Rome, Sassari and Turin.

The expected heatwave is the result of a wave of extremely hot air from Africa moving northward across Europe.

Tourists in Rome should be aware that Rome's fountains are off-limits, no matter how hot it gets, with fines of €450 for those caught entering the waters.