Italy is in a for a scorching few days with temperatures reaching over 40 degrees and a string of tropical and muggy nights especially in central and northern parts, weathermen warned Wednesday.
    The African anticyclone has reached all of southern Europe, bringing high pressure and heat between France and central and northern Italy, similar to what happened in the summer of 2003, according to Lorenzo Tedici, meteorologist and media director for iLMeteo.it..
    From Morocco to Spain, France, and central and northern Italy, he said, temperatures are widely exceeding 40°C, with peaks in France, especially of 12°C above average, and 44°C in August, setting new national records.
    In Italy, Tedici continued, heat records are being broken, particularly at night, with minimum temperatures not falling below 30°C.
    A very rare event, but one that, for example, in Liguria, brought a low of 32.5°C in Alassio, a chic resort near Genoa.
    Milan also recorded nights of 27°C and days of 37°C, similar to those found in North African cities.
    Four consecutive days of 40°C were recorded in many areas of Tuscany and Umbria, particularly Florence and Terni.
    In Rome, maximum temperatures reached 38-39°C.
    Maximum temperatures of 39-40°C are forecast in Tuscany, Umbria, and Lazio until Saturday.
    Between Sunday and Tuesday, a drop of 1-2 degrees is expected, and a further drop is expected mid-next week.
    Currently, temperatures are forecast to plummet between August 20th and 21st, with the likely arrival of wind, rain, and hail.
    After that, the sun should return, but with bearable temperatures, said Tedici.

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