Italy heatwave to ease slightly at Ferragosto

(ANSA) - ROME, AUG 13 - Italy's long heatwave will ease slightly at the Ferragosto mid-August national holiday for the Catholic Feast of the Assumption but almost record-high temperatures will only fall by 2-3°C, weatherman Lorenzo Tedici said Tuesday.
    He said the muggy 'afa' that has meant sleepless nights for many will let up a bit with temperatures falling from 39 to 36°C.
    "The boiling African heat will be a little less hellish from Ferragosto on," said Tedici.
    Meanwhile, after the mercury in Florence hit 41°C on Sunday and Monday, temperatures will still be that high Tuesday in inland areas of Sardinia, he said.
    In northern Italy, too, Forlì will see 40°C while thermometers will register 38-39° in Ferrara, Florence, Foggia, Lecce, Oristano, Prato, Reggio Emilia, Siracusa, Trento and Verona.
    Wednesday, the eve of Ferragosto, will see continued weltering conditions with peaks of 39°C in the south, and 38° at Ferrara and Forlì, while Florence will register 37°C.
    "On Ferragosto, cooler air from France will bring temperatures down a tad and the afa will loosen its grip," said Tedici.
    (ANSA).