Summer 2026 could be one of the hottest summers on record in Italy, potentially even surpassing the record heat the country experienced in 2003, according to weather forecasters.

While we’ll have to wait until the end of summer for the full picture, temperatures recorded so far are close, and in some areas higher than, those seen during the summer of 2003, as reported by the news agency ANSA.

READ ALSO: Which Italian cities are currently under heat alerts?

“What looked exceptional 20 years ago is now becoming normal,” said Lorenzo Giovannini, an atmospheric physicist at the University of Trento.

“The problem is that there will be even worse records, as this seems to become the new normal,” he added.

Climate change has made heatwaves more frequent and more intense, with temperatures particularly unusual in northern Italy, including in the alpine regions where the climate has traditionally been milder.

So-called tropical nights are also a growing concern, as temperatures remain above 20C overnight, making it difficult for buildings to cool off.

This week, all – or almost all – 27 major cities or regional capitals in Italy have been under a red heat alert (bollino rosso), with temperatures up to 40C.

This is the fourth heatwave the country has experienced since May, with breaks between heatwaves becoming increasingly shorter, offering little relief from the persistent heat.

But from Friday, August 7th, temperatures are expected to gradually ease, at least in some parts of the country, according to the latest heat bulletin released by the Italian health ministry.

However, the relief might be temporary.

Giovannini also expressed concerns about the heat that has accumulated in the Mediterranean Sea, turning the sea into an “energy tank.”

“When the first cold air masses arrive toward autumn, all the accumulated energy could manifest itself in the form of particularly violent weather events, such as thunderstorms and downpours,” Giovannini told ANSA.

Forecasts say temperatures could fall in the coming days, especially in the central and eastern Alps, where there might be some storms. However the heat is expected to return, with high temperatures expected across much of Italy throughout next week.