Italy experienced its hottest summer since 1950
In Italy, the summer of 2026 became the hottest since 1950, with the average seasonal temperature reaching 24.3 °C. This was reported by the Institute of Bioeconomy of Italy’s National Research Council, according to Channel NewsAsia.
Record-breaking August
August was the hottest month of the year, with an average temperature of 25.6 °C. This is 5.2 °C above the 1951–1980 average and 3.5 °C above the 1991–2020 norm. The data were calculated using temperature measurements taken at a height of two metres above the ground.
Institute of Bioeconomy researcher Lorenzo Arcidiacono noted that the average temperature in August 2026 exceeded previous records: 24.6 °C in 2024 and 24 °C in August 2017. According to him, July and August this year were the warmest for the entire observation period he analysed.
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Heat and drought in agricultural regions
Arcidiacono also said that the available data indicate the possibility that 2026 could end as the hottest year in Italy since the collection of these data began in 1950. High temperatures had the greatest impact on the lowlands in the northwest of the country and areas along the Apennines, including agricultural territories.
Rising temperatures and dry conditions put pressure on agricultural activity in these regions. Separate analyses of meteorological data also showed recurring heatwaves in Rome, Florence and Turin in June, July and August.
