The summer of 2026 will be remembered as one of the most extreme and relentless seasons for the entire European continent. Between 13 and 15 August, the fifth heat wave since the beginning of May literally overwhelmed Western Europe, pushing scorching African air masses towards France, Spain, Portugal and Germany. The most shocking data were recorded in the Transalpine region: over 70% of the continental territory was placed under severe water restrictions, while the aquifers collapsed on more than 90% of the underground reserves, culminating in the seventeenth consecutive day of anomalous heat and record highs that exceeded 43°C.
The siege of the anticyclone from the Iberian Peninsula to the United Kingdom
Things were no better on the Iberian Peninsula, where the persistence of the anticyclone suffocated the cities for the umpteenth time in three months. Spain hit 42.3°C in Écija on August 14, recording temperatures well above the critical threshold of 40°C across Andalusia. Portugal saw the thermometer rise to 40.9°C in Mirandela, confirming a dramatic trend that began at the end of May with 40.3°C in Mora. Even the United Kingdom and the Met Office had to deal with the exceptional nature of the phenomenon, measuring 38.1°C in the west of London on 13 August, while almost three quarters of the English territory are facing an unprecedented drought.
The situation in Italy between the August truce and the return of African air
While central and western Europe burned, Italy was in the final stages of its fourth heat wave, which began on July 29. In recent days there has been a temporary turning point thanks to the arrival of fresh air currents of Atlantic origin. This break brought intense thunderstorms and a general drop in temperature across the Alps, Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, central regions, Campania, Salento, Calabria and Sicily. However, the days of the refreshing break are numbered: the truce will last very little before the hot bubble attacks the country again.
The hottest regions and areas of Italy: projections until the end of August
Weather projections show a new rise of the African anticyclone between 19 and 21 August, with the Centre-North at the forefront. The areas most affected by this second peak will be Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and the Po Valley plains, with mercury columns ready to soar again between 33°C and 35°C. A subsequent disturbance between 22 and 24 August will then move the core of the heat towards the South. Until the end of the month, the areas destined to suffer the most from the grip of the heat will be Puglia, Matera and the internal areas of Sicily and Sardinia, where the maximum values will remain firmly anchored around 32-33°C.
