07 Dec 2021 | 12:44 PM UTC
Italy, Greece: Adverse weather forecast across Greece and Italy through at least Dec. 9 /update 1
Severe weather forecast across Greece and Italy through at least Dec. 9. Possible disruptions to transport, business, and utilities.
Event
Thunderstorms, heavy rain, and strong wind are forecast across Greece and southern and central Italy through at least Dec. 8, and snow and ice are forecast across northwestern and central Italy through at least Dec. 9. As of Dec. 7, authorities have issued the following warnings and watches across the affected area:
Orange heavy rainfall warnings (second-highest level on a four-tier scale): Tuscany and Liguria regions in Italy.
Orange thunderstorm warnings: Ionian Islands, Dodecanese Islands, northeastern Agean Islands, Crete, eastern Macedonia, Thrace, and western Peloponnese regions in Greece.
Orange strong wind warnings: Sardinia, Siciliy, Basilicata, and Puglia in Italy
Orange snow and ice warnings: Tuscany, Piedmont, Valle d'Aosta, Emilia-Romagna, Lombardy, and Liguria regions in Italy.
Yellow rainfall warnings: Sardinia and Sicily in Italy and most of Greece.
Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Tuscany and Sardinia regions in Italy and the Cyclades Islands and western Sterea Region in Greece
Yellow wind warnings: Abruzzo, Molise, Calabria, Tuscany, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Liguria regions in Italy and the Ionian and Dodocanese Islands in Greece.
Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.
Hazardous Conditions
The storms could produce rounds of heavy rainfall, strong winds, and isolated thunderstorm activity across the affected area. Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Urban flooding is also possible in developed areas with easily overwhelmed or a lack of stormwater drainage systems. Sites located downstream from large reservoirs or rivers may be subject to flash flooding after relatively short periods of intense rainfall. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where the soil has become saturated by heavy rainfall.
Precipitation could fall as snow in the higher elevations in northwestern and central Italy over the coming days. Wind gusts could cause blowing and drifting snow; decreased visibility is likely in mountainous areas. There is the possibility of avalanches in mountainous areas where the snowpack has become unstable due to heavy snowfall. Power outages could occur throughout the affected area.
Transport
Floodwaters and debris flows may render some bridges, rail networks, or roadways impassable, impacting overland travel in and around affected areas. Ponding on road surfaces could cause hazardous driving conditions on regional highways. Authorities could temporarily close some low-lying routes that become inundated by floodwaters. The disruptive weather may cause some delays and cancellations at regional airports. Authorities may temporarily suspend port operations if strong winds trigger hazardous sea conditions, impacting freight and passenger maritime traffic. Flooding could block regional rail lines; freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are possible in areas that see heavy rainfall and potential track blockages.
Disruptions triggered by inclement weather and resultant hazards, such as flooding, could persist well after conditions have improved - it could take days before any floodwaters recede and/or officials clear debris. If there is severe damage to infrastructure, repair or reconstruction efforts may result in residual disruptions.
Advice
Monitor local media for weather-related updates and advisories. Confirm all transport reservations. Stay away from elevated streams, creeks, and other watercourses that are prone to flash flooding. Do not attempt to navigate flooded roadways. Exercise caution in elevated terrain due to the threat of landslides. Charge battery-powered devices in the case of prolonged electricity outages.
Resources
MeteoAlarm
Servizio Meteorologico, Italy (Italian)
Hellenic National Meteorological Service (Greek)