Italy, Austria: Adverse weather forecast to continue across much of Italy and southern Austria through at least Nov. 5 /update 1

Further adverse weather is forecast to affect much of Italy and southern Austria through at least Nov. 3. A weather system currently bringing heavy rainfall, thunderstorms, and strong winds to the region will move away Nov. 3, before a second disturbance moves in Nov. 4-5, bringing further heavy showers and storms.

Disruptions are ongoing across parts of the region due to flooding, landslides, and rough seas caused by the adverse weather in recent days. Tuscany in Italy has been one of the most impacted areas, particularly in communities around the overflowing Bisenzio River. Authorities have confirmed three weather-related fatalities and four others are missing across the region. Around 40,000 customers across Tuscany are without power as of early Nov. 3. One person has also been reported missing in Veneto Region and schools have been closed in parts of Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Tuscany, and Veneto Nov. 3. In Austria, authorities have reported 1,600 households are without power across Carinthia State and a home was damaged by a landslide in Berg im Drautal. Carinthia. Several roads are blocked by fallen trees and landslides in affected areas.

As of Nov. 3, the respective meteorological services have issued the following weather warnings across the affected area:

• Orange heavy rainfall warnings (the middle level on a three-tier scale): Parts of central and western Carinthia, southeastern and southern Salzburg, western Styria, and south-central and southeastern Tirol states in Austria and Abruzzo, Campania, Molise, Trentino Alto Adige, and Veneto regions in Italy.

• Orange thunderstorm warnings: Abruzzo, Liguria, and Molise regions in Italy.

• Orange strong wind warnings: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Marche, Molise, Sardinia, Umbria, and Veneto regions in Italy.

• Yellow heavy rainfall warnings: Across the rest of the affected area of Austria not under orange warnings and Basilicata and Calabria regions in Italy.

• Yellow thunderstorm warnings: Basilicata, Calabria, Puglia, Trentino Alto Adige, Umbria, and Veneto regions in Italy.

• Yellow strong wind warnings: Tuscany and Trentino Alto Adige regions in Italy.

Authorities will likely issue new alerts or update/rescind existing advisories as weather conditions change over the coming days.

Sustained heavy rainfall could trigger flooding in low-lying communities near rivers, streams, and creeks. Landslides are possible in hilly or mountainous areas, especially where heavy rain has saturated the soil. Further disruptions to electricity and telecommunications services are possible where significant flooding or landslides impact utility networks.

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. Severe weather could also trigger flight delays and cancellations at regional airports. Flooding could block regional rail lines; further freight and passenger train delays and cancellations are likely in areas with heavy rainfall and potential track inundation.

Localized business disruptions may occur in low-lying areas; some businesses might not operate at full capacity because of flood damage to facilities, possible evacuations, and some employees' inability to reach work sites.