Overview

• Severe thunderstorms and localized hail are affecting the Alps, Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Tuscany and Sardinia this weekend.
• The unstable conditions result from a western cold drop connecting with a northeastern depression to form a pronounced belt of turbulence over central-northern Italy.
• Frequent storms in mid-July are highly unusual given the month’s typical dominance by stable, dry high-pressure systems.
• From Monday, rebuilding sub-Saharan high pressure will push daytime temperatures across most of Italy to around 32–33 °C.
• Models indicate a possible further spike in heat around July 18–19 if an Atlantic low draws hotter Moroccan air into the Mediterranean.