As Italians sweltered under a
relentless sun, seeking relief with fans, frosty drinks, and
fountains, experts forecast new records may be set.
"July 2015 has everything it takes to be among the hottest
ever," says Edoardo Ferrara, meteorologist with 3bmeteo.com.
"Considering it's only July, and not in the summer in its
entirety, it is the most intense heat wave in 70 years," he
said.
The July weather, featuring numerous straight days of
temperatures close to 40 degrees C, is "very unusual" in terms
of intensity and duration, said Ferrara.
Meterologists at Centro Epson Meteo agreed that July is on
track to set a new record, and warned that next week the
perceived temperature - which factors in humidity and wind -
could jump as high as 45 degrees C.
While a slight fall in temperatures in the North might
bring a bit of relief there on the weekend, a new wave of heat
from Africa is expected next week from the tip of the peninsula
to the top, said Ferrara.
The mercury may peak at 40 degrees C in the centre-south
part of Italy next week, he warned.
However, in the final week of July a slightly cooler
weather front is expected from the north Atlantic region
bringing some thunderstorms but more moderate temperatures to
Italy's north and centre-south.
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