Southern Europe: Further weather warnings issued for central and southeastern Europe through at least Dec. 13 /update 1

Event

Authorities in central and southeastern Europe have issued further warnings for severe weather in the region through at least Dec. 13, including thunderstorms, heavy rain, strong wind, snow, and ice. As of Dec. 12, authorities have issued the following warnings and watches across the affected area:

Red snow and ice warnings (highest level on a four-tier scale): Serbia, Kosovo.
Red strong wind warnings: Velebit Channel in Croatia.
Orange heavy rainfall warnings: Alba, Arges, Brasov, Buzau, Caras-Severin, Covasna, Dambovita, Gorj, Hunedoara, Prahova, Sibiu, Valcea, and Vrancea in Romania; Calabria, in Italy.
Orange strong wind warnings: Roznava, Kosice-okolie, Michalovce, Trebisov, and Kosice in Slovakia; North Dalmatia, Middle Dalmatia, South Dalmatia, and Kvarner i Kvarneric in Croatia; Basilicata, Molise, Puglia, and Abruzzo in Italy; Northern Great Plain and Central Transdanubia in Hungary.
Orange snow and ice warnings: Alba, Arges, Brasov, Buzau, Caras-Severin, Covasna, Dambovita, Gorj, Hunedoara, Prahova, Sibiu, Valcea, and Vrancea in Romania; Central Transdanubia in Hungary.
Yellow rainfall warnings: Calabria in Italy.
Yellow snow and ice warnings: Slovakia; Bacau, Neamt, and Suceava in Romania; Western Transdanubia, Southern Great Plain, and Northern Great Plain in Hungary; Marche in Italy.
Yellow wind warnings: Slovakia, eastern Bulgaria, southern Croatia, northern Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Sicily and Campania in Italy, and Hungary.

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 heavy rainfall has saturated the soil.

Precipitation could fall as snow in the higher elevations in 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.