Tuscany under orange weather alert as severe thunderstorms forecast; Florence to close parks and cemeteries
Italy's Civil Protection has issued an orange alert for thunderstorms and hydrogeological risk across Tuscany from midnight to 2 p.m. Sunday, while nine other regions face a yellow alert as an Atlantic depression moves across the country.
An Atlantic depression will bring a wave of severe thunderstorms across central and northern Italy starting Saturday afternoon, with the most intense weather forecast for Sunday, 26 July. The Department of Civil Protection has issued adverse weather warnings for ten regions, placing Tuscany under an orange (moderate criticality) alert for both thunderstorms and hydrogeological risk, effective from midnight to 2 p.m.
Atlantic disturbance brings severe weather
The low-pressure system, of Atlantic origin, will cause marked instability across the country. Thunderstorms will be accompanied by heavy downpours, strong wind gusts, localised hail and frequent electrical activity. The orange and yellow warnings indicate moderate and ordinary criticality, respectively, for both thunderstorm and hydrogeological hazards, with conditions favourable for flash flooding in vulnerable areas.
Orange alert for Tuscany
The orange warning covers all 26 alert zones across Tuscany, from the Bisenzio and Ombrone basins in the north to the Fiora and Albegna coastal areas in the south. Notable zones include the Serchio and Garfagnana basins in the north-west, the Mugello and Val di Sieve areas north of Florence, the Arno river valley around the city, and the entire Etruria coastline. Thunderstorms will begin in north-western parts overnight and spread eastward by early morning. The alert remains in effect from midnight to 2 p.m. Sunday.
Yellow alerts across nine other regions
Yellow (ordinary criticality) alerts for thunderstorms have been declared for the entire territories of Piedmont, Liguria, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Marche and Umbria, and for sectors of Lombardy, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Lazio. These regions can expect similar but less intense conditions, with thunderstorms and strong winds from Saturday evening through Sunday. The Civil Protection advises residents in all affected areas to stay updated through official channels.
Florence closes parks and cemeteries
Florence's city administration issued an ordinance closing all parks, gardens, municipal cemeteries and the Arno riverside cycle paths for the duration of the orange alert. Markets, outdoor shows and mobile-structure attractions in green areas are suspended, and the Cascine stop on tram line T1 will be shut down. Residents are urged to limit non-essential travel, avoid open green spaces and the riverbanks, and follow instructions from authorities until the alert ends.
Carmignano activates emergency operations centre
In Carmignano, a town in the province of Prato that experienced heavy flooding earlier this year, the municipal civil protection operations centre (Coc) has been opened. Local officials are monitoring the situation and coordinating preparedness measures, given the area's recent history of significant floods.
Weather timeline
The storm system will first affect Piedmont on Saturday afternoon, then spread overnight to Liguria, Lombardy, Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Umbria and Lazio. The orange alert for Tuscany comes into force at midnight and will be lifted at 2 p.m. Sunday. Conditions are expected to improve gradually as the low-pressure system moves eastward.
- Thunderstorms begin over Piedmont, extending overnight to Liguria and Lombardy.
- Storm system reaches Tuscany, Emilia-Romagna, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Marche, Umbria, and Lazio.
- Orange alert takes effect for all of Tuscany. Florence closes parks, cemeteries, and riverside cycle paths, and suspends markets.
- Orange alert expires for Tuscany; weather expected to improve as depression moves east.
