Meteorologists are issuing urgent warnings, predicting the heatwave's relentless intensification over the upcoming days.

The Ministry of Health has revealed that the red alert will also extend to Bologna and Perugia on Friday.

A red alert declaration by the health ministry signifies that the soaring temperatures have reached a critical level, posing a widespread threat to the population at large, transcending vulnerability confines such as the elderly, the infirm, and young children.

Contrasting this, Rome will experience a less severe orange alert status on both Thursday and Friday. The incoming heatwave, induced by the African weather phenomenon termed 'Anticyclone Nero', is projected to culminate during the weekend. Antonio Sanò, the visionary behind ilmeteo.it, has forecasted temperatures to surge up to 40 degrees Celsius in Tuscany and the Po Plain.

Subsequent to this intense phase, the southern regions are poised to welcome cooler temperatures as the new week commences. Sanò has also highlighted the potential impact of a cold Atlantic front, anticipated to arrive between August 26 and 27, which might effectively dispel the lingering heatwave. (ILKHA)