In the last few hours, Italy has reached the peak of a new heatwave that has hit the Mediterranean. Although less intense than previous subtropical heatwaves, the heat persists throughout the country, especially in coastal cities and in the Po Valley, where high temperatures combine with high relative humidity.
However, the weather situation is about to become more unstable due to the arrival of cool and unstable currents at high altitude. These cool currents from the North Atlantic will not directly affect the perceived temperatures, as the heat will continue in the coming days.
However, they will cause atmospheric instability, leading to sudden and intense thunderstorms.
Thunderstorms are expected not only in Northern Italy but also in the inland areas of Central and Southern Italy.
These phenomena, which will occur mainly in the afternoon and sometimes in the evening, will predominantly affect mountainous and hilly areas, with occasional spillovers on the Tyrrhenian side.
In the Po Valley, isolated but violent thunderstorms may occur, accompanied by hail and downpours. Despite the thunderstorms, the heat will remain dominant, bringing only temporary relief in the affected areas.
The North African anticyclone may gradually weaken towards the end of August, but this will happen due to natural decay rather than the arrival of cool external currents. The beginning of the week will be marked by an increase in atmospheric instability due to a cyclonic vortex at high altitude, fueled by cold air.
This phenomenon will destabilize the atmosphere, generating thunderstorms and heavy showers.
On Monday, August 26, the first signs of this change will be noticeable with a slight drop in atmospheric pressure and an increase in cloudiness, especially over the reliefs. Scattered precipitation is expected over the Alps of Triveneto and occasional over the central and southern Apennines, while temperatures will remain high, especially in the South and in Sicily. On Tuesday, August 27, the influence of the cyclonic vortex will become more evident, with an increase in cloudiness and instability.
There will be irregular precipitation over the northern Alps and widespread thunderstorms, even with hail, in Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio, the Apennines, and the northeastern reliefs of Sicily.
Where thunderstorms occur, a moderate drop in temperatures is expected, while in the rest of the country, the heat will continue unabated.
On Wednesday, August 28, instability will persist in several regions.
After a relatively calm morning, numerous thunderstorms will develop over the Apennines and adjacent areas, and locally also over the southern coasts and much of Sicily. From Thursday, the cyclonic vortex will tend to move away from Italy, taking the unstable conditions with it. Atmospheric pressure will rise again, favoring a return to stability and a new increase in temperatures, anticipating a hot and sunny weekend. However, further updates will be needed to confirm this forecast.
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