Italy issues red alert heatwave warning for five cities on Friday, rising to nine on Saturday, including Rome.

Italy faces another heatwave in the coming days, after the mid-August Ferragosto holiday, with temperatures set to exceed 40° Celsius this weekend.

The rising temperatures are the result of the Anticyclone Nerone bringing a wave of hot air from north Africa, according to IlMeteo.it weather forecast website.

Italy will also experience intense humidity - muggy air known as Afa - typical of the midsummer season, with the possibility of thunderstorms in alpine regions.

Temperatures are set to peak at 42°C on the island of Sardinia over the weekend, reaching highs of up to 37-39°C in Rome.

Italy's health ministry has issued a level three 'red alert' heatwave warning for Friday in Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence and Perugia.

A level two orange warning is in place in Rome on Friday, along with Frosinone, Latina, Rieti, and Verona.

On Saturday there will be nine cities in Italy with a level three heatwave red alert: Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Campobasso, Florence, Latina, Perugia, Rieti and Rome.

Allerta #ondatedicalore
17-18/8 previsto livello 2 (bollino arancione)
19/8 previsto livello 3 (bollino rosso)

Attiva H24 la sala operativa della Protezione Civile di Roma Capitale al num. verde 800854854 o al num. 06 67109200

e consigli https://t.co/Occ1acVINi pic.twitter.com/Jv6r5v94mR— Roma (@Roma) August 17, 2023

Level 3 bollino rosso

The red bollino rosso alert indicates emergency conditions with possible negative effects on not just the elderly, sick or very young, but also on healthy and active people.

Level 2 bollino arancione

The orange bollino arancione indicates weather conditions that pose risks of negative effects on the elderly, sick or very young.

Heatwave advice

The health ministry recommends avoiding exposure to the sun and outdoor activity in the middle of the day, as well as advising people to drink plenty of water, eat lightly and preserve their medication in a cool place. Dogs should be walked early in the morning and late evening.

Heatwave helpline

This summer Italy launched the 1500 helpline to provide people with useful tips on how to cope with the heat as well as information about social and health services available around the country.

For heatwave updates see health ministry website. Article updated 18 August 2023.