Severe weather is impacting much of Italy this Christmas season, bringing heavy rainfall, strong winds, and snowfall to regions across the country dubbed “The Christmas Cyclone”. Authorities have issued alerts, particularly in Emilia-Romagna, where red and orange warnings are in place due to the risk of flooding, and are urging caution for residents and travelers as emergency responses continue. this developing situation is being closely monitored with impacts reported from the Alps to Sicily, and ongoing updates are available in the live blog below.
Much of Italy is experiencing severe weather this Christmas season, with ongoing monitoring and emergency responses underway following heavy rainfall. The adverse conditions are impacting regions from the north to the south, prompting alerts and precautionary measures.
In Emilia-Romagna, civil protection authorities have issued red and orange alerts due to the risk of hydraulic and hydrogeological issues across the plains between Bologna, Ferrara, and Ravenna. Officials are closely watching tributaries of the Reno River, particularly the Idice, with concerns about potential flooding. Yellow alerts are also in effect in other parts of Emilia-Romagna, as well as Lazio, Puglia, Campania, and Toscana. Snowfall has been reported in the western Ligurian region and the Tuscan Apennines, while strong bora winds are buffeting Trieste. A landslide impacted Valdidentro, a high-altitude area in the Valtellina valley in Lombardia. Authorities are urging residents and travelers to exercise extreme caution and limit travel in the most affected areas.
Treviso: Ten Fire Department Interventions Due to Strong Winds
The Treviso Provincial Fire Department had a busy night responding to 10 incidents related to strong winds, including removing obstacles, cutting down trees, and securing unstable poles. In Mogliano, crews also worked to secure a plexiglass covering that was at risk of detaching from a structure.
Liguria Weather: Arpal Extends Snow Alert
A snow alert remains in effect for the Padan basins of western Liguria until 9:00 a.m. on Friday, December 26. Precipitation has become snowy in inland areas and on the Padan slopes, with snow levels dropping below 600 meters and even reaching valley floors. Strong north winds are expected, exceeding 75 km/h in the center-west and on the Ligurian Levante, with gusts on exposed ridges and valleys. Cold temperatures are also posing a risk in mountainous and coastal areas. The low-altitude snowfall could disrupt transportation, particularly on valley roads and highways.
Southern Italy and Sicily: Forecast for Tomorrow
Cloudy skies are expected across all areas, with potential rainfall that will likely turn into showers or thunderstorms in southern Puglia, the southern Ionian Calabria, and eastern Sicily by the afternoon.
Central Italy and Sardinia: Forecast for Tomorrow
Cloudy skies are forecast for Adriatic regions with scattered precipitation, locally moderate and more persistent in Marche and Abruzzo. Umbria and the Tyrrhenian side of the region will see partly cloudy conditions with no significant weather events. Sardinia will experience very cloudy to overcast skies, with precipitation potentially developing into showers and thunderstorms.
Northern Italy: Forecast for Tomorrow
Overcast skies with rain, including showers or thunderstorms, are expected on the eastern slopes of Piedmont, the Aosta Valley, Liguria, and the Emilian Apennines. The weather is expected to improve in the afternoon. Snowfall is anticipated above 400-500 meters in the western Alps in the morning, while generally sunny or partly cloudy conditions will prevail in the remaining central and eastern regions.
Friuli Venezia Giulia: Bora Winds Expected Up to 90-100 km/h
A low-pressure system over the western Mediterranean and a high-pressure system over Eastern Europe are driving strong east-northeast winds in the region. Bora winds are moderate on the plains and eastern areas, and still strong along the coast. In the last six hours, gusts have reached around 100 km/h on the coast between Monfalcone and Trieste. The intensity of the Bora is expected to gradually decrease as the low-pressure system moves west. Strong winds are also present in the Prealps at higher elevations.
Venice: Conditions Improving, MOSE System Not Activated
Weather conditions in Venice are currently improving after registering 95 cm of high water. The MOSE system will not be activated. The city’s Tide Center predicts normal tide conditions for tomorrow and Saturday.
Civil Protection Bulletin for Today
The Emilia-Romagna regional civil protection operations center will remain active 24 hours a day after the red alert was issued for an area including the Bologna plain and parts of the provinces of Ferrara and Ravenna. Widespread and persistent rainfall is expected, particularly in the central sector of the region. The waterway of greatest concern at this time is the Idice, on the outskirts of Bologna, which has exceeded the alert threshold. Meanwhile, snow is returning to the mountains. The snow line, currently around 1,000 meters, could drop to the hilly areas. Ski resorts at Corno alle Scale and Cimone have opened.
Weather Forecast for the Next Few Days
The Christmas Cyclone is dividing Italy in two: bad weather, cold and snow in the North, mild temperatures in the South.
Live Situation in Emilia-Romagna
Rain is falling continuously in the central part of the region, with accumulations of up to 40mm in seven hours. Follow the live updates.
