Andrea Innocenti On Saturday, October 10, the Civil Protection Department issued a severe weather warning affecting the entire Southern Italy. A low pressure area near Sardinia is fueling humid and particularly unstable currents, which are rising from the Strait of Sicily and hitting Puglia. This phenomenon, observed by satellite analysis, is expected to generate widespread but intense rainfall, accompanied by strong wind gusts, localized hailstorms, and electrical activity.
The severe weather will immediately affect all southern regions, with torrential rain and violent thunderstorms expected . Authorities have warned of the possibility of accumulations exceeding 100 mm in a few hours, a level capable of triggering flash floods in the most vulnerable areas. Forecasts indicate that the rain will be predominantly convective, alternating between scattered showers and more extensive downpours, especially in Campania, Calabria, and, starting in the morning, also in Puglia.
Depression area near Sardinia generates unstable currents
The European model highlights a low-pressure area anchored off the coast of Sardinia, favoring the development of southwesterly currents loaded with moisture. These air masses, encountering the mountain ranges of central and southern Italy, crumble, creating conditions of high instability.
The result is an alternation of heavy showers and localized thunderstorms, with wind gusts that can exceed 70 km/h and moderate hail.
The hydrogeological authorities have launched a national criticality bulletin, available on the Civil Protection website, to monitor potential hydraulic problems and landslides. An orange alert has been issued for Sicily and parts of Calabria, Puglia, and Campania, while a yellow alert has been extended to Abruzzo, Molise, Basilicata, and parts of Umbria, Lazio, Campania, Calabria, and Puglia. This classification reflects the varying risk exposure of the various geographic areas.
Orange alert and protective measures in the southern regions
Local governments have taken immediate measures to protect the public. In Campania, the municipalities of Torre del Greco , Giugliano Quarto , and Sorrento have decided to close schools due to inclement weather, while in Naples, schools will remain open. In Calabria, schools in Cosenza and Catanzaro remain closed, with additional ordinances signed by the mayors of Botricello Taverna and Zagarise in the province of Catanzaro.
Hydrogeological and hydraulic criticalities
The national criticality bulletin highlights the possibility of urban flooding, landslides on steep terrain, and exceeding the capacity of inlet basins. Authorities advise avoiding nonessential travel, keeping home emergency equipment ready, and following the instructions of local coordination centers. Coastal areas are particularly at risk due to the combined phenomenon of winds and rainfall , which can cause damage to road infrastructure and power grids.
Overall, the situation remains evolving. The Civil Protection Department will continue to monitor the development of weather fronts, updating alerts daily and providing operational guidance to regional authorities. The public is encouraged to consult the official website for the latest versions of the bulletin and to follow the recommendations in case of emergency.