Italy is gearing up for a truly wintry Christmas, as two storm systems from Northern Europe are set to influence the weather in the coming days. According to 3bmeteo.com, the first storm is already underway, with a second wave of bad weather expected to hit the country between Sunday and Monday.
Two storms inbound: strong winds and low-altitude snow
Meteorologist Edoardo Ferrara of 3bmeteo.com reports that the first storm is causing precipitation in Northern Italy, which will spread to the Central and Southern regions on Friday, December 20. Strong winds, with gusts exceeding 100 km/h, are expected in areas such as Sardinia, Sicily, and the upper Adriatic. Coastal regions may experience intense storm surges, disrupting ferry connections to smaller islands.
As temperatures drop, snowfall is anticipated at low altitudes, down to 400-500 meters in the Central and Northern Apennines. After a brief respite in the North-Central regions on Saturday, a second, Arctic-origin storm will reach Italy on Sunday afternoon, bringing more rain and snow down to 500-700 meters in Northern regions.
Arctic winds and snowy Christmas
Sunday’s storm will pave the way for an even colder Arctic air mass, which will spread across Europe and Italy between Monday, December 23, and Christmas Day. The holidays will feature intense cold and low-altitude snow: on the central and southern Adriatic coasts and in the South, snow is expected at hill levels or even plains in some areas, particularly in Marche, Abruzzo, Molise, and Northern Apulia.
The Alpine regions will also see additional snowfall, while most of the rest of the country is likely to remain dry. However, sustained northern winds will exacerbate the feeling of cold, with temperatures falling below seasonal averages.
Final thoughts
This Christmas promises to be memorable, with weather reminiscent of traditional winter holidays. Prepare for freezing conditions and, in some regions, a truly white Christmas.
