Bologna, July 29, 2026 – The heat break due to the thunderstorms of the past days is now over. After the bad weather alert, the concern now is the high temperatures that will reach record peaks. “The models – says meteorologist Ampro and president of Emilia-Romagna Meteo aps Luca Lombroso – outline a heat wave of unprecedented duration, with at least seven days at 40° degrees”.
Between Modena and Bologna peaks of 40 degrees
Between Modena and Bologna temperatures will gradually rise until reaching 39-40° degrees, and beyond, between Friday and August 7, with increasingly tropical nights (that is, with minimums above 20° degrees) that may persistently remain at 25-27° degrees even outside the city, making cooling difficult even during nighttime hours.
The heat will be exceptional even in the mountains
In the Apennines temperatures close to or above 30° degrees are expected up to about 1,300 meters altitude, values quite unusual even for mid-mountain locations.
“These forecasts – says Lombroso – do not intend to cause alarm, but to inform and allow everyone to prepare in time. The scenario is becoming quite clear now. As always, there may be fluctuations of about 1 °C less or, hopefully not, also 1 °C more, but the overall picture is now well defined.
The first “fever” day will be Friday
The first ‘fever’ day will be Friday, July 31, with the maximum temperatures in Emilia Romagna already around 38°C. Modena is one of the hottest areas. The forecasted maximums are, in sequence from yesterday to Tuesday, August 4, 35, 37, 38, 40, 40, 39, 41 and 40 °C with the highest peak on Sunday, August 3 (41 °C)”.
There remains hope for a reduction
Perhaps a slight shift of the anticyclone, but “if the models are confirmed – comments the meteorologist –, we will face one of the most intense heat waves of recent years: knowing in advance what could happen allows us to prepare and take all necessary precautions”.
Advice
The advice, from a medical point of view, remains the same, especially for at-risk categories: light clothing, drink plenty, avoid going out during the hottest hours of the day and be very careful about thermal shocks.
Forecast for Thursday, July 30
According to Arpae forecasts the sky will be “clear with cumulus cloud build-ups in the afternoon on the Apennine ridges of Emilia associated with possible brief and local thunderstorm showers. Temperatures slightly increasing, minimums between 20 and 23 degrees; maximums between 30 and 34 degrees on the coast and Romagna plain and 35/36 degrees on the Emilian plains with possible local peaks of 37 degrees. Sea calm or slightly rough”.
What the weather will be like on Friday, July 31
Friday the heat in many cities of Emilia Romagna will be red alert. According to forecasts the sky will be “clear with cumulus cloud build-ups in the afternoon on the Apennine ridges of Emilia associated with possible brief and local thunderstorm showers”. The temperatures? Slightly further increasing, minimums between 20 and 24 degrees; maximums between 31 and 35 degrees on the coast and 35/37 degrees on the inland plains. Sea calm or slightly rough.
The trend for the next days
From Saturday to Tuesday the weather will remain stable and sunny although there will be temporary cloud build-ups with daytime evolution more likely along the hills with the possibility of brief and isolated showers. The maximum temperatures will be almost stationary around 38/39 degrees on the inland plains with widespread bioclimatic discomfort conditions. A few degrees less along the coastal areas.
