Italy is no stranger to dramatic weather, but the final days of August 2025 have delivered a truly wild ride. As the peninsula braces for a week defined by both searing African heat and violent rainstorms, daily life—and especially travel—has been thrown into chaos. According to Italian meteorological forecasts reported by multiple outlets, the country is experiencing one of its most extreme late-summer weather patterns in recent memory, with temperatures soaring to record highs in the south and center, even as the north and Tuscany are battered by torrential rains.
On Wednesday, August 27, the situation across Italy was nothing short of extraordinary. In Sardinia, the mercury was set to hit a blistering 42°C in the Cagliaritano region, with Oristano close behind at 41°C. Sicily, too, sizzled with peaks of 38°C, while Terni and Rome were forecast to reach 37°C and 35-36°C respectively, all under the oppressive weight of high humidity. The southern half of the country, from the islands to the heart of the mainland, was locked into a sweltering heatwave that had many Italians seeking relief wherever they could find it.
But while the south baked, the north was drenched. The forecast for Thursday, August 28, painted a picture of extremes: over 150 liters of rain per square meter were expected to fall between Alto Piemonte and northwest Lombardy—an amount typically seen over the entire month of August, not in a single day. Tuscany, too, was bracing for heavy downpours and strong storms. By Friday and into Saturday, the weather system—an Atlantic perturbation linked to the remnants of ex-hurricane Erin—was expected to sweep across the center and north, bringing yet more rain and the threat of local flooding. Even the south, parched by days of relentless sun, would not escape, with storms forecast for Saturday.
The origin of this meteorological mayhem is as dramatic as its effects. Erin, the hurricane responsible for these conditions, had quite the journey: it formed off Cape Verde, skirted the Caribbean, brushed the eastern coasts of the United States and Canada, touched Greenland and Iceland, and finally weakened as it approached Ireland. But its legacy—a powerful, moisture-laden weather system—continued eastward, ultimately disrupting Italy’s summer with a vengeance.
For Italians, the impact of these extremes was felt most acutely on the roads. According to Autostrade per l’Italia, the country’s principal highway authority, August 27 saw traffic conditions deteriorate rapidly. A 5-kilometer traffic jam snarled the A1 Milan-Naples highway between Incisa – Reggello and Firenze sud due to an accident, while the A10 Genova-Ventimiglia highway reported a 2-kilometer jam between Albisola and Celle Ligure, also caused by a crash. Other incidents included a 1-kilometer backup between Bivio A10/A7 Milano-Genova and Genova Pegli, and slowdowns nearly everywhere you looked: from the A30 Caserta-Salerno to the A13 Bologna-Padova, the A14 Bologna-Taranto, and the A22 Brennero-Modena.
It wasn’t just accidents and congestion making life difficult for motorists. The weather itself played a starring role in the chaos. Heavy rain fell on multiple stretches of highway, including between Bivio A10/A7 Milano-Genova and Bivio A10/Fine Complanare Savona, as well as between Serravalle Scrivia and Genova Sampierdarena. Further north, rain was reported between Morgex and Raccordo A5/SS26 dir, and between Lago Maggiore and Bivio A26/SS 33 del Sempione. Strong winds battered the A14 between Ancona sud and Porto Sant’Elpidio, and fires caused by the heat and dry conditions sparked smoke and danger on the A14 between Poggio Imperiale and San Severo, as well as between Termoli and Poggio Imperiale.
Service areas, vital for weary travelers, were not immune to the disruption. The Arno ovest service area on the A1 was closed due to a technical fault, while the Roncobilaccio ovest area was shut for maintenance until late afternoon. The Tiburtino area on the A24 Roma-Teramo was also closed for works, forcing drivers to plan their rest stops carefully or risk running low on fuel and patience.
Even the iconic Monte Bianco Tunnel, a major route between Italy and France, saw a queue form at Piazzale Italiano with an estimated 30-minute wait for those heading towards Chamonix. For anyone hoping for a smooth journey, patience was not just a virtue—it was a necessity.
Looking at the daily breakdown, the pattern of extremes was unmistakable. On Tuesday, August 26, the north basked in sunshine while the south and center sweltered, with strong storms hitting the Apennines. By Wednesday, August 27, the weather in the north began to deteriorate, with storms hitting the Alps, pre-Alps, and the higher plains, while the center remained mostly sunny and the south continued its hot streak. Thursday, August 28, promised even more intense weather: heavy rain and storms in the north, worsening conditions in Tuscany, and persistent heat in the south. By the weekend, the entire country would be under the influence of the ex-hurricane’s remnants, with rain and storms spreading from the north to the south.
Despite the turmoil, forecasters offered a glimmer of hope. According to Italian meteorological services, the summer wasn’t over yet. Starting September 3, the Azores Anticyclone—a stable, sunny weather system—was expected to return, bringing several days of pleasant and sunny conditions across Italy. For those weary of the wild swings between heat and storms, this promised a welcome respite.
Still, with the last week of August marked by alternating sunshine, intense heat, and locally violent thunderstorms, Italians were urged to exercise caution. "Prudence and attention to weather alerts will be essential to face such extreme days," meteorologists advised. The message was clear: while the weather may be unpredictable, preparation and vigilance can make all the difference.
For now, Italy finds itself at the mercy of nature’s extremes—a country divided between scorching sun and torrential rain, where every journey requires a little extra patience and a watchful eye on the skies. But as the Azores Anticyclone prepares to make its return, there’s hope that calmer, brighter days are just around the corner.
