Italy Grapples with ‘Christmas Cyclone’ Bringing Flooding, Travel Chaos, and Hazardous Conditions
Italy is facing widespread disruption as a severe weather system, dubbed the “Christmas Cyclone,” unleashes heavy rains, strong winds, and snow across much of the country. Authorities are on high alert, with civil protection agencies issuing red and orange alerts for several regions, and urging residents to exercise extreme caution.
Widespread Alerts and Critical Issues
Continuous monitoring is underway following torrential rainfall impacting areas from northern Italy to the south. The most critical situation is unfolding in Emilia-Romagna, where the Civil Protection agency has issued its highest level of alert for lowland areas between Bologna, Ferrara, and Ravenna due to the risk of hydraulic and hydrogeological hazards. The Idice river, a tributary of the Reno near Bologna, has already exceeded critical levels, raising fears of potential flooding. Yellow alerts are also in effect for Lazio, Puglia, Campania, and Tuscany.
Regional Breakdown of Severe Weather
The adverse weather is manifesting in diverse forms across the Italian peninsula. Snowfall has been reported in western Liguria and the Tuscan Apennines, while the city of Trieste is battling strong bora winds. In Lombardy, a landslide impacted the Valdidentro area in upper Valtellina, prompting warnings against travel in exposed regions.
Further south, conditions are equally challenging. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, the bora wind is gusting up to 90-100 km/h, particularly along the coast between Monfalcone and Trieste. Venice, which recently recorded a high water level of 95 cm, is seeing improving conditions, and the Mose flood defense system remains inactive.
Travel Disrupted: Flights Canceled and Roads Impacted
The severe weather is significantly impacting transportation networks. Florence Airport experienced substantial disruptions on Thursday, with departing flights delayed or canceled due to strong winds. “The passengers of seven flights, hundreds and hundreds of people, crowded the airport spaces waiting to know their fate,” stated a union delegate at Gh Toscana, a company operating contracts at the airport.
In Treviso, firefighters responded to ten calls overnight to remove obstacles, cut down trees, and secure unstable structures, including a plexiglass roof in Mogliano that was at risk of detaching. Snowfall in Liguria is expected to cause traffic problems, particularly on valley floors and motorway sections.
Forecasts Predict Continued Challenges
Looking ahead, the forecast indicates continued unsettled weather. The Po basins of central-western Liguria remain under a yellow alert for snow until 9:00 AM on Friday, December 26th, with snow levels potentially dropping below 600 meters and even reaching valley floors. Strong winds are also anticipated in Liguria, with gusts exceeding 75 km/h.
The forecast for tomorrow predicts very cloudy skies and potential rainfall across much of the country. Showers and thunderstorms are expected over Salento and Puglia in the south, while the Adriatic regions of the center will experience scattered rainfall. Northern Italy faces overcast skies and rain, with snowfall expected above 400-500 meters in the western Alps. Sardinia is bracing for very cloudy conditions and potential downpours.
The Civil Protection agency in Emilia-Romagna will maintain 24-hour operations as the region continues to grapple with heavy rainfall and the threat of flooding. Authorities are urging residents to stay informed and heed all safety warnings as the “Christmas Cyclone” continues to impact Italy.
