By the end of July, Italy will be “on fire”, with temperatures set to hit 40C in several cities, a weather expert said.

Italian weather forecaster Lorenzo Tredici shared an insight into the temperatures to be expected in the Mediterranean country well into next month.

After a few days of partial relief in some regions in northern and central Italy where rain provided a much-needed break from a sweltering heatwave, the hot weather is to return on July 25 and, after getting increasingly worse in time for the weekend, it will keep the Mediterranean country in its grip until at least August 10.

Speaking to Italian weather news site IlMeteo.it, Mr Tredici said: “From Thursday onwards, the African anticyclone will come back with rising temperatures particularly from the weekend.”

This anticyclone brings very hot and dry air from the Sahara Desert and is often behind the blistering temperatures recorded in Italy.

By Sunday evening, Mr Tredici said, temperatures will range between 36C and 38C in northern Italy and 37C to 39C in central and southern regions.

Two cities loved by British tourists are set to become even hotter on Monday, he added.

The forecaster said: “By the end of the month, Italy will be on fire, once again and everywhere. Next Monday 40C are forecasted in Rome, Florence and Terni. It isn’t normal. And this heat will continue at least until August 10 – but could obviously last even longer.”

Maps on WXCharts, which uses data from MetDesk, suggest the mercury could reach even 41C in the Lazio region of which Rome is the capital.

Similar widespread heat is set to worsen the drought gripping southern Italy, and in particular Sicily, which has seen several of its reservoirs drying up due to a prolongued lack of rainfall combined with hot weather.

Dry conditions also make it easier for wildfires to spread. In recent days, northern Sardinia alone was plagued by three massive blazes that to be quashed required the intervention of Canadair and helicopters alongside ground forces.

As similar heat conditions come at the height of the tourism season, tourists are urged to be mindful when visiting the hottest areas of Italy.

William Spencer, climate and first aid product manager at the British Red Cross, previously said: “High temperatures make it harder for the body to cool itself and we all need to take care to manage the health risks of heat. If you are travelling to a country experiencing extreme heat, there are several steps you can take to keep yourself and others safe.”

British holidaymakers, he said, should “avoid activities in the middle of the day when temperatures are highest” as well as wearing sunscreen, remain hydrated and consuming less alcohol.