Level 2 heat warning in Rome on 26 and 27 May.
Italy is facing its first heatwave of 2026, with the health ministry issuing an orange level heat alert for a dozen cities across the country on Tuesday 26 May.
The Level 2 warning indicates weather conditions that pose a risk to health, particularly for the most vulnerable groups, including the elderly, the sick and the very young.
The cities affected are Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Frosinone, Perugia, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Venice and Viterbo. The orange warning remains in place in all 12 cities on Wednesday, with the addition of Latina, Milan and Verona.
A further five cities – Genova, Latina, Milan, Naples and Verona – have been placed on a yellow alert (Level 1), the minimum alert level, signalling conditions that could develop into a full heatwave.
The heat is being driven by high pressure that has settled across the peninsula, bringing an early blast of summer warmth set to last several days.
Weather forecasters at Meteo.it had been warning for days of anomalous temperatures more typical of July rather than May, with values approaching 35°C expected to peak on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The health ministry is urging citizens – especially those at risk – to avoid going out during the hottest part of the day, to stay out of direct sunlight, to refrain from outdoor physical activity, and to drink plenty of water. Rooms should be kept well ventilated.
People should check on elderly neighbours living alone, and small children and pets should never be left in cars, even briefly. A slight easing of conditions is forecast from Thursday 28 May, as the North African anticyclone begins to weaken.
For the full official bulletin, see the health ministry website.
