Sweltering heat continues to grip Italy, with temperatures above 44 degrees in the South and islands. Meteorologists warn the suffocating humidity will persist into September.

The country will be divided in two, forecasters say, with a brief but intense spell of heat set to affect central and southern Italy while the north faces thunderstorms.

L'ondata di caldo si concentrerà al Centro-Sud. Venerdì il picco con nove città bollino rosso. In Sicilia orientale e in parti della Calabria previsti 45 gradi. Attese anche notti…