Italy places all 27 major cities on highest heat alert

Italy is to place all of its 27 major cities, from Trieste in the north to Palermo in the south, under the highest heat alert as the fourth heatwave to hit the country this summer intensifies, according to the Guardian.

The red alert comes as temperatures in some areas edge close to 40C, the newspaper reported on Wednesday. The measure extends from the Adriatic coast to the Mediterranean islands, covering the country's main urban centres.

For the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the alert is a reminder that the heat is not only a southern or coastal phenomenon. While the high Alps offer some respite, the valley floors — where most of the region's population lives — are feeling the strain of consecutive heatwaves.

The Guardian reported that the red alert is the highest level in Italy's heat warning system, signalling a health risk for the general population, not just the elderly or those with pre-existing conditions. The measure was announced as the fourth heatwave of the summer continues to build.

The alert covers cities from Trieste in the north to Palermo in the south, a span that includes the Po Valley and the Adriatic coast. The Guardian noted that temperatures in some areas are approaching 40C, a threshold that triggers emergency protocols in hospitals and care homes.

For the mountain regions, the heatwave has a double edge. The valleys of Trentino-Alto Adige, which sit at elevations between 200 and 1,000 metres, are experiencing the same high temperatures as the lowlands, while the higher slopes remain cooler. This vertical contrast is drawing more visitors to the mountains, but it also puts pressure on water resources and the region's hydroelectric infrastructure, which depends on alpine snowmelt that is diminishing with each successive warm summer.

The Guardian's report did not detail specific impacts on the alpine regions, but the broader pattern of European heatwaves has been a recurring theme in international coverage of Italy's summer. The BBC, in a separate guide on how to avoid the worst of the Italian heat, quoted experts recommending night-time tours and supermarket visits during the hottest hours — advice that tourism operators in the Dolomites are likely to echo as they manage visitor flows.

The red alert is set to remain in place for the coming days, according to the Guardian. For local authorities in Trentino-Alto Adige, the immediate concern is protecting vulnerable residents in the valley towns and ensuring that the region's many summer festivals and outdoor events can adapt to the heat.