Fifth heatwave of summer bears down on Calabria's farms

Italy is bracing for its fifth heatwave of the summer, with forecasters warning of a brief but intense spell of heat set to affect central and southern regions while the north faces thunderstorms, according to The Local Italy. Highs approaching 42C are expected in the worst-affected areas, the report said, dividing the country in two as the summer's extreme weather patterns continue.

For Calabria, the latest heat spike arrives at a delicate moment for the region's agriculture, which relies on citrus, bergamot and other Mediterranean crops that are sensitive to prolonged high temperatures. The region's hot Mediterranean coasts and cooler mountainous interior make for sharp contrasts, and the forecast suggests the coastal plains where much of the commercial farming takes place will bear the brunt.

The heatwave is the latest in a series of extreme weather events that have marked the summer across Europe, with the continent struggling to adapt to a pattern of scorching temperatures and violent storms. The Local Italy's report noted the country would be split, with the south sweltering while the north contends with thunderstorms, a split that has become a recurring theme of recent Italian summers.