Is the Heat Over? Italy Expects a New Hot Spell at End of August
After days of rain across Italy, sunny weather is returning, and with it a new heatwave is expected by the end of August.
According to weather forecasts, temperatures could reach peaks of up to 35°C in some areas over the coming days.
However, the heat will not affect all parts of the country equally. In northern Italy, temperatures are expected to stay below the seasonal average.
Meanwhile, the center and south of the country will continue to experience afa, the muggy, humid heat typical of Italian summers.
This uneven pattern has raised a question many are now asking: has summer's heat finally ended, or is a fifth major heatwave on its way?
So far this summer, Italy has already seen several intense heat episodes, and forecasters are closely monitoring how the weather will develop.
For now, the answer seems to depend on the region. While northern areas may get some relief, southern and central Italy should still expect warm, sticky conditions.
Meteorologists say more detailed forecasts will become available as the end of August approaches, helping clarify whether this is the last hot stretch of the season.
Vocabulary10 words
- heatwave
- many days in a row of very hot weather
- forecasts
- predictions about future weather
- peaks
- the highest points reached
- average
- the normal or typical amount
- afa
- hot, wet air that feels heavy and uncomfortable
- region
- a specific area of a country
- expect
- to believe something will happen
- seasonal
- related to a particular time of year
- humid
- having a lot of moisture in the air
- meteorologists
- scientists who study and predict weather
Quiz
Answer key
1. A new heatwave 2. Below the seasonal average 3. Muggy heat (afa)
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
After days of rain across Italy, sunny weather is returning, and with it a new _____ is expected by the end of August.
According to weather _____, temperatures could reach peaks of up to 35°C in some areas over the coming days.
However, the heat will not affect all parts of the country equally. In northern Italy, temperatures are expected to stay below the seasonal _____.
Meanwhile, the center and south of the country will continue to experience _____, the muggy, humid heat typical of Italian summers.
This uneven pattern has raised a question many are now asking: has summer's heat finally ended, or is a fifth major _____ on its way?
So far this summer, Italy has already seen several intense heat episodes, and forecasters are closely _____ how the weather will develop.
For now, the answer seems to depend on the _____. While northern areas may get some relief, southern and central Italy should still expect warm, sticky conditions.
Meteorologists say more detailed forecasts will become available as the end of August approaches, helping clarify whether this is the last hot _____ of the season.
Discussion questions
- Have you experienced any unusual heatwaves where you live this year?
- Why do you think some regions of a country can have very different weather at the same time?
- How do you usually cope with hot, humid weather?
- Do you think weather forecasts are generally accurate? Why or why not?