Severe storms batter Italy with heavy rain, hail and flood warnings

Italy remained in the grip of severe weather on Thursday as heavy rain, thunderstorms and hail swept across several northern and central regions, prompting flood warnings and civil protection alerts.

Authorities said regions including Lombardy and Tuscany were among the hardest hit as an Atlantic weather system moved across the country, bringing intense rainfall, strong winds and rapidly changing conditions.

Local media reported disruptions to transport and isolated flooding in some urban areas, while emergency services monitored rivers and vulnerable zones amid concerns over rising water levels.

Italy’s Civil Protection Department issued weather alerts for multiple regions, warning residents of possible landslides, flash floods and dangerous driving conditions. Meteorologists said the unstable weather pattern was expected to continue through the day, particularly in northern areas.

Hailstorms were also reported in several provinces, causing damage to vehicles and agriculture in some communities already affected by repeated episodes of extreme weather in recent months.

Officials urged residents to limit unnecessary travel during the worst of the storms and to follow updates from local authorities.

The latest wave of bad weather comes as parts of southern Europe continue to experience increasingly volatile climate patterns, with periods of drought alternating with sudden and intense storms.

Read more via RAI News