Dangerous weather situation in Italy: rain, floods and landslides
Good afternoon, dear friends! Today we will talk about the weather in Italy and Europe as a whole, because the situation is really serious. So, sit back and let’s figure out what awaits us!
Situation in Italy: a storm is approaching
A powerful low pressure system formed over the Gulf of Genoa is approaching northern Italy. This cyclone brings with it a huge amount of precipitation, which is already actively flooding the regions of Liguria, Piedmont and Lombardy today, April 17. The rain is pouring down in buckets, and, according to my estimates, this intensity will continue until the evening of Thursday, April 18. The areas most at risk are from the Po Valley in Italy to southern Switzerland. In some places, for example, in the Milan area, the amount of precipitation can reach 200 liters per square meter! This is a lot, and such an amount of water inevitably creates a threat of floods and landslides.
Already now, in the municipality of Villadossola, in Piedmont, two landslides have blocked the road to the village of Tappià. Access to the village is still prohibited, and local residents have been asked to leave the area for safety. This is only the beginning, because the soil, saturated with moisture, is becoming increasingly unstable. If you are a tourist and are in these regions, my advice is to carefully follow the weather warnings. If possible, it is better to leave early, because the situation can worsen literally in a matter of hours.
Storm winds and floods: what else to expect?
In addition to rain, a low pressure system over the Gulf of Genoa is causing strong storm winds, especially on the Ligurian coast. In cities such as Genoa, gusts of wind can reach 60-70 km / h, which creates an additional danger, especially for shipping and coastal areas. In central Italy, for example in the Milan area, precipitation will be accompanied by thunderstorms, which will only complicate the situation.
In the north, in particular in the Po area, water levels are rising rapidly. I strongly recommend avoiding being near rivers and streams, because the water can rise very quickly. In southern Switzerland, which borders Italy, there is also a risk of flooding. The Rhone River and Lake Maggiore are already under close surveillance by local services, because heavy rains can cause not only floods, but also mudflows and landslides. All this creates an extremely dangerous situation, whoever is in these regions, should be extremely careful.
Forecast for the coming days
Now let’s look at the forecast for April 17 and 18 in more detail. Today, Thursday, April 17, rains in northern Italy will last all day. The most intense precipitation is expected in the first half of the day, especially in Lombardy and Piedmont. The air temperature in Milan will remain at +12 … +14 ° C, but due to high humidity and wind it will feel much cooler. In the evening, precipitation will weaken a little, but not for long – already at night a new wave of rain will cover the region.
On Friday, April 18, until midday, rains will still continue, but their intensity will gradually decrease. In the afternoon, clearings are possible in the northern regions of Italy, although the cloud cover will remain dense. The air temperature will remain approximately at the same level – +13…+15°C in Milan, but the air humidity will be very high, which can create discomfort. On the coast of Liguria, storm winds will gradually subside, but gusts will still reach 40-50 km/h, so be careful if you plan to walk by the sea.
In central and southern Italy, for example, in Rome and Naples, the situation will be calmer. If there is precipitation, it will be short-term, and the air temperature will remain at +16…+18°C. However, I would advise you to follow the forecast updates, because the cyclone can shift, and then the rains will reach these regions.
Weather alerts in Europe
Now a few words about the general situation in Europe. The map clearly shows that the bad weather zone covers not only Italy, but also neighboring countries. In southern Switzerland, there is a risk of flooding and landslides, especially in the Rhone River and Lake Maggiore area. In France, in particular in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, heavy rains are also expected, although their intensity will be less than in Italy. In Marseille, precipitation of up to 50-70 mm is possible, which can cause local flooding.
In Germany, in particular in the Munich area, the map shows an area of increased cyclone activity. Here, the rains will be less intense, but wind gusts can reach 50 km / h, which poses a risk for trees and power lines. In the UK, on the contrary, the situation is relatively calm – in London and Manchester, cloudy weather with light precipitation is expected, the temperature is +10 … + 12 ° C.
Recommendations
Finally, a few tips. If you are in the risk zone, avoid traveling to mountainous areas, because the risk of landslides is very high. Watch out forcast and local services and, if possible, stay home. Tourists in northern Italy should reconsider their plans – it is better to wait until the situation stabilizes. And, of course, take care of yourself and your loved ones!
The Founder and Chief Meteorologist at Pogodnik.com. With over 15 years of operational experience in synoptic analysis and climate forecasting, he specializes in storm tracking, magnetic storms, and atmospheric dynamics. A recognized expert in Ukraine’s meteorological sector, he maintains strategic collaborations with global agencies, including NOAA and ECMWF, to ensure high-precision data integration. His analytical reviews and scientific contributions are regularly featured in leading media outlets dedicated to weather science and environmental trends.
