Overview

• Italy’s Civil Protection announced alerts for Wednesday 20 August, including orange alerts in parts of Liguria and Lombardy, after storms begin Tuesday evening over the northwest and Alps.
• The sharp weather downturn is expected between Wednesday and Thursday as the Atlantic disturbance crosses the Center‑North, with Liguria, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia and Tuscany most at risk.
• Forecasters flag threats of very heavy rain, frequent lightning, hail and strong gusts, with localized flash floods possible and rainfall totals on the order of 150 mm in a few hours in the worst spots.
• Temperatures will drop markedly across northern and central regions, while the South and the main islands remain warmer with some southern areas still above 35°C.
• Outlooks note uncertainty later in August, with Hurricane Erin likely to influence the pattern, a potential new front around 24–25 August, and early‑September guidance hinting at a cooler, wetter tilt for the Center‑North.