Tourists brave scorching sun as heatwave hits Italy's iconic landmarks

 Italy experienced its first significant heatwave of the year on Tuesday (May 26), with unusually high temperatures sweeping across much of the country as a strong high-pressure system settled over Europe. 

The north and centre regions were particularly affected, with heat arriving well ahead of the official start of the summer season.

The peak is expected on Wednesday (May 27), when temperatures could exceed 34-35°C in large urban centres, particularly in Tuscany and Umbria.

Italy's Health Ministry has activated its heatwave monitoring system, which tracks conditions in 27 cities with forecasts up to three days ahead.

On Tuesday, 12 cities were placed under an "orange" alert, with the number expected to rise to 15 on Wednesday. Orange alerts indicate conditions that may pose risks to vulnerable people, including the elderly, children and patients with chronic illnesses. 

The first signs of relief could emerge on Thursday (May 28), when cooler air from Northern Europe is expected to weaken the high-pressure system, bringing a chance of thunderstorms.

Production: Cristiano Corvino, Gabriele Pileri, Claudia Greco, Claudia Chieppa/Reuters