With temperatures rising in the UK, Brits may be thinking they’ve hit the spring jackpot in weather terms. Yet one European country could see record-breaking heat in June as the mercury is pushed to new heights.
Italy has seen turbulent May weather, with days of sweltering heat punctuated by rain and storms, with no sign of abating in the next few weeks. Rain has hit the country and temperatures have dropped for now, leaving many Italians unable to lounge on the country’s famous beaches.
There has been some severe bad weather across the country, with particularly wet weather in tourist hotspots Sicily, Puglia, and Sardinia, but that could soon change significantly. Experts believe June could see some record-breaking temperatures after a warmer end to May.
Next month could be among the hottest Italy has seen in recent years, though certainty is hard to come by with a few weeks still to go until the expected scorching temperatures.
In the short term, though, Italy is stuck with some glum conditions. There are a number of thunderstorms and cold patches set to hit the country before it turns warm again, so Brits heading out for some early summer sun may well be disappointed.
Yet anyone heading out for June will likely be delighted if it’s sun they’re seeking, as seasonal trends and current forecasts suggest heat will arrive at the start of the month. Temperatures could well be well above average by 3C or more.
A weather system known as the African anticyclone could conspire to push thermometers up to 35C next month, with air masses originating from the Sahara Desert travelling up to Europe’s southern states. The African anticylcone refers to a high pressure system formed over Europe’s southern neighbour which can have significant impacts on weather systems elsewhere. It holds hot, dry air from the Sahara, picking up moisture from the Mediterranean to arrive in Europe bursting with humidity.
While many may be optimistic to see such high temperatures forecast, it is also worth warning that high heat can raise the possibility of extreme weather events. Extra heat and increasing humidity could mean sudden showers, violent thunderstorms and even volatile hailstorms to form.
In that case, as in general, it is important to stay up to date if travelling to Italy on holiday and keep abreast of weather forecasts and any warnings given out by authorities.
