ROME, ITALY / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, Italy experienced its hottest summer since 1950, with an average temperature of 24.3 degrees Celsius. The National Research Council’s Institute for Bioeconomy announced this figure, which surpasses the previous summer record set in 2003. That year’s summer averaged 23.6 degrees Celsius across Italy. The 2026 data covers June through August and is based on temperatures measured two metres above ground. This result places this summer at the top of Italy’s 76-year temperature record series.
August was particularly intense. Its nationwide average hit 25.6 degrees Celsius, beating the 1951-1980 August average by 5.2 degrees. It also was 3.5 degrees higher than the August norm for 1991-2020. The Institute for Bioeconomy stated that August 2026 broke earlier monthly records of 24.6 degrees in 2024 and 24.0 degrees in 2017. ECMWF continues to maintain ERA5-Land, the climate dataset used for Italy’s temperature analysis.
Both July and August 2026 are now the hottest months on record in the dataset, according to the institute’s heat maps. This followed a record-breaking spring, which saw Italy’s average temperature reach 12.1 degrees Celsius. Spring 2024 also recorded that same temperature, matching the seasonal record. From January through August, every month in 2026 was warmer than the same month in 2025. The trend extended Italy’s higher temperatures throughout much of the year.
August Sets New Temperature Peaks
Temperature anomalies affected large parts of Italy during the first eight months of 2026. About 70% of the country’s territory experienced anomalies above 1 degree Celsius. Nearly 40% saw anomalies exceeding 2 degrees. The highest concentrations appeared in northwestern plains and along the Apennines, including extensive agricultural zones. These areas faced higher temperatures and drought conditions, impacting farming. Major cities such as Rome, Florence, and Turin also faced repeated heatwaves during June, July, and August.
The record is based on ERA5-Land data from ECMWF, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts. This dataset provides land-surface climate information dating back to 1950. Researchers used it to compare temperatures across Italy over this period. Italy’s summer average of 24.3 degrees was 0.7 degrees above the 2003 record. August’s 25.6-degree figure surpassed the 2024 monthly record by 1.0 degree. These measurements represent air temperature at two metres above the ground surface.
Widespread Heat Waves Mark Italy’s Summer
In addition to Italy, the wider Mediterranean region saw extraordinary heat during summer 2026. A separate analysis linked to Italy’s National Research Council showed that Mediterranean sea-surface temperatures averaged about 27 degrees Celsius in July. This was the highest July average since 1993. The analysis also found that 79% of the Mediterranean experienced at least one intense marine heatwave. These marine temperature measurements are separate from the land-temperature series used for Italy’s national summer record.
Italy’s record came amid a summer of extreme heat across Europe. Climate assessments describe Europe as the world’s fastest-warming continent in recent decades. Droughts and wildfires affected many regions during this period. Italy experienced months of higher temperatures than the previous year. The season included the hottest July and August on record in the dataset. Italy’s figures confirm that summer 2026 was the warmest meteorological summer since 1950, based on the ERA5-Land data series.