Intense heat and thunderstorms continue to coexist in Sardinia over the Ferragosto weekend.

Following the instability that affected Saturday afternoon, August 15, the Regional Civil Protection has confirmed a new yellow alert for hydrogeological risk linked to thunderstorms, also for Sunday, August 16.

The conditions will remain typically summer-like: high temperatures for much of the day, followed by the possibility of afternoon showers and thunderstorms, locally intense.

Yellow alert until 6 p.m. on Ferragosto

For Saturday August 15 the yellow code applies to all seven alert areas in Sardinia until 6 p.m..

ARPAS forecasts generally clear or slightly cloudy skies, but with afternoon cloud buildups capable of producing isolated showers or thunderstorms, locally intense.

Strong gusts of wind may also occur in connection with the most intense weather phenomena.

Heat, meanwhile, remains the main feature: forecast highs reach 34 degrees in Sassari, 37 in Alghero, 36 in Cagliari and Oristano, 38 in Sanluri and up to 39 degrees in Ozieri.

New thunderstorm alert on Sunday, August 16

The instability will not end with Ferragosto.

On Sunday August 16, from noon to 6 p.m., the yellow code will once again be in effect in the areas of Iglesiente, Campidano, Montevecchio-Pischinappiu, Flumendosa-Flumineddu and Tirso.

The following areas will instead be under a green code: Gallura and Logudoro.

This does not mean, however, that thunderstorms are impossible in northern Sardinia: local phenomena may also develop under a green code.

According to ARPAS, on Sunday skies will be predominantly clear or slightly cloudy, but isolated showers and thunderstorms, locally intense, are expected in the afternoon, more likely over the island's eastern and southern uplands.

Still hot: up to 39 degrees inland

Temperatures will remain essentially steady on Sunday as well.

In Sassari, around 34 degrees are expected, while Alghero may reach 36, Olbia 36, Cagliari 35 and Carbonia 37.

The highest figure among the main locations listed in the ARPAS bulletin is still expected in Ozieri, with a forecast high of 39 degrees.

This will therefore not be a genuine break in the heatwave, but rather a period of afternoon instability within an otherwise still decidedly hot weather pattern.

Cagliari: watch out for thunderstorms

Among the areas covered by Sunday's alert is also Cagliari.

The Municipality has reiterated self-protection measures, with particular attention to the Pirri municipal district, which is more exposed to flooding during the most intense thunderstorms.

Among other things, residents have been advised to avoid leaving their cars on some of the roads most at risk.

Temperatures to drop in northern Sardinia from Monday

A more noticeable change should arrive on Monday, August 17, at least in the northern part of the island.

ARPAS still forecasts the possibility of thunderstorms, this time mainly over the northern sectors, as well as a general drop in temperatures.

In Sassari, the high should fall from Sunday's 34 degrees to 31 on Monday, while Alghero will go from 36 to around 32 degrees.

For now, then, summer is not letting up.

Between Saturday and Sunday, the heat will remain intense in Sardinia, but in the afternoon it would be wise to keep an eye on the sky.