Six Italian cities - Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Florence, Perugia and Turin - were on red alert on Thursday with the heatwave the country is experiencing approaching its forecast peak at the weekend.
The number of cities on the maximum red alert, which means the heat is so intense it is a threat to healthy people and not just vulnerable groups such as the sick and the elderly, is set to rise to 13 on Friday, the heath ministry said.
On Sunday in Florence, Ferrara and Terni the mercury column will mark 40°C in the shade, forecaster Antonio Sanò has said.
In Milan and Rome 39°C is expected.
"The maximum temperatures could exceed the historical records recorded even in the famous heat wave of 2003 and will be paired with tropical nights, in which minimum temperatures will be above 20°C", said Sanò, founder of the website www.iLMeteo.it.
