Italian authorities have announced severe heat warnings for several major cities as unusually high temperatures continue to affect large parts of the country. The Ministry of Health issued its highest-level heat alert for Rome, Florence, Bologna, and Turin on Thursday due to soaring temperatures and severe weather.

Officials warned that the heat could impact not only vulnerable groups such as the elderly and children, but also healthy individuals. In many areas across Italy, temperatures climbed above 30°C, arriving much earlier than expected.

The prolonged sunshine and lack of cloud cover have contributed to the early-season heatwave, creating difficult conditions in both urban and rural areas. Weather forecasts suggest that temperatures should begin to drop slightly by Friday, with no cities expected to remain under the top-level red alert over the weekend

In response to the extreme conditions, Rome’s mayor, Roberto Gualtieri, introduced emergency measures to reduce heat-related risks and prevent fires across the capital.

One of the key actions requires that large public buildings with air-conditioning systems remain accessible to residents whenever the highest heat warning is in effect. These cooled public spaces are intended to provide relief for people struggling with the intense temperatures.

The new measures also address working conditions for outdoor laborers. Construction and agricultural workers must now take breaks during the hottest hours of the day in shaded or air-conditioned areas. Employers are also expected to provide proper ventilation or cooling systems where possible.

Italy has faced growing concerns in recent years over worker safety during summer heatwaves, particularly following several fatalities involving construction workers exposed to extreme midday temperatures.