Bologna, August 1, 2026 – For Sunday, August 2, high maximum temperatures are expected to persist, around 37 degrees or locally higher, in the plains and first hill areas with widespread bioclimatic discomfort conditions. In addition, scattered short-lived thunderstorms are not excluded, more likely along the Apennine belt, with possible occasional associated effects.
For this reason, the Region has decided to issue a yellow alert for extreme temperatures in the provinces of Piacenza, Parma, Reggio Emilia, Modena, Bologna, Ferrara, Ravenna, Forlì-Cesena, and Rimini. The entire territory is therefore preparing to face the fourth heat wave in a month and a half, with peaks over 40 degrees at least until Thursday, August 6.
Yellow code throughout Emilia-Romagna
The new notice reports a yellow code for the entire territory, issued by the regional civil protection based on the Arpae forecasts (Regional Agency for Prevention, Environment and Energy of Emilia-Romagna), and is valid for the entire day tomorrow.
From the analyses, there is a clear prevalence of red alerts in the provincial capitals, indicating the highest level of alert for high temperatures. The areas include all of Emilia-Romagna from Piacenza to Rimini. An entire region affected by intense heat conditions, with possible health effects, especially for the elderly, children, fragile people, and subjects with chronic diseases.
Friday peaks of 41 degrees expected in Bologna
Already yesterday (July 31) temperatures reached values between 36 and 38 degrees in the hottest areas of the region. But on Sunday the heat will make a further leap: widespread peaks between 39 and 40 degrees are expected on the Emilia-Romagna plains, with values that could locally reach 41 degrees. A scenario that makes it particularly important to limit exposure during the central hours of the day, hydrate frequently, and pay special attention especially to the elderly, children, and people with chronic diseases. Today in Bologna is the fifth consecutive day of persistence of at least mild discomfort conditions. Therefore, strong bioclimatic discomfort conditions will occur and persist throughout Sunday. It will indeed be a hot August 2 in the capital: peaks of 39 degrees expected in the city center.
The fourth heat wave in Italy: 25 red alerts from Monday the 3rd
The fourth heat wave of summer 2026 shows a continuously growing trend. The 25 red alerts expected on Monday (Ancona, Bari, Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Catania, Civitavecchia, Florence, Frosinone, Genoa, Latina, Milan, Naples, Palermo, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Trieste, Venice, Verona, and Viterbo) are the highest peak reached so far, and come after a scorching weekend with forecasts confirmed by the new report: 19 cities in red today, August 1 (Bologna, Bolzano, Brescia, Cagliari, Campobasso, Civitavecchia, Florence, Frosinone, Latina, Milan, Naples, Perugia, Pescara, Rieti, Rome, Turin, Venice, Verona, and Viterbo), and 23 for tomorrow, Sunday the 2nd (adding Catania, Genoa, Palermo, and Trieste to the list of the 1st).
This weekend, the following escape the maximum alert: Ancona and Bari both today and tomorrow (orange code, level 2, with health risks for the fragile); today also Catania, Genoa, Palermo, and Trieste (orange alert) and Messina and Reggio Calabria (yellow); tomorrow also Messina (orange) and Reggio Calabria (yellow).
Orange code triggered for wildfire risk in the plains, hills, and coastal areas of Emilia-Romagna
The level of attention for wildfire risk is also rising in Emilia-Romagna. From Monday the 3rd until the entire day of Sunday, August 9, the pre-alarm phase (Orange Code) will be active in the plains, hills, and coastal areas of the region. The Apennine ridge territories will remain in the attention phase (Yellow Code), thanks to meteorological and vegetation conditions less favorable to fire ignition.
The measure was issued by the Regional Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection in agreement with the Regional Directorate of the Fire Brigade, the Regional Command of the Carabinieri Forestry Corps, and Arpae Emilia-Romagna. The decision was made in light of weather forecasts related to a new and intense heat wave. In the coming days, temperatures could widely reach 38 degrees, with peaks close to 40 in the first part of next week, while precipitation will be almost absent. The heat and drought will cause a rapid increase in water stress of vegetation, especially in the plains and hills. The forecast indices developed by Arpae indeed highlight a progressive increase in fire susceptibility, which will reach very high or even extreme levels in the central-western plains and some areas of Romagna.
Twenty vegetation fires in the last week alone
In the last week, about twenty vegetation fires have been recorded, mainly concentrated in the provinces of Bologna, Parma, Piacenza, and Reggio Emilia. Although the events affected limited surfaces, they confirm the need to raise the level of attention in view of the worsening meteorological scenario. Since July 1, the Unified Permanent Operational Room (Soup) has been operational at the Regional Agency headquarters in Bologna, a coordination structure for prevention and firefighting activities against wildfires, which will remain active until August 31, unless extended. The Soup is active every day, including Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays, from 8 am to 8 pm, with 24-hour availability. It includes Firefighters, Forestry Carabinieri, volunteers specialized in forest fire fighting, and Regional Agency officials. During nighttime hours, service continuity is guaranteed by the Operational Room of the Regional Directorate of the Fire Brigade of Emilia-Romagna.
From a criminal perspective, imprisonment from 4 to 10 years is provided if the fire is arson (deliberately caused). Even in cases of negligent fire, caused by negligence, imprudence, or incompetence, convictions and the obligation to compensate damages are foreseen.
Given the risk situation, the public is again urged to exercise maximum caution during outdoor activities, avoiding behaviors that could favor fire ignition and promptly reporting any outbreaks or risky behaviors to 112 – Single Emergency Number.
