Arctic cyclone on the way: severe weather warning, 100 km/h winds and snow at low levels. Emanuele Bompan (3BMeteo) on what's in store
We're almost there. After weeks of an almost spring-like climate that had us fooled, winter is about to wake up with unprecedented ferocity. Just a glance at the models today shows this is no ordinary downturn: a full-blown cyclone of Arctic origin is heading straight for Italy. And when someone like Emanuele Bompan, the familiar face of 3B Meteo, talks about a "significant event", those with a bit of memory know he's not just blowing hot air. This is a vortex capable of bringing the country to its knees for at least 48 hours.
The Arctic blast will start to make its presence felt from the next few hours, but the peak is expected between Thursday and Friday. The vortex will deepen over the Ligurian Sea, setting up a perfect mechanism to bring freezing air and instability across the entire peninsula. The key word is just one: wind. Gusts could exceed 100 km/h along the Tyrrhenian coasts and on the Apennine ridges. Local authorities have already started issuing warnings for strong winds in several regions, from Trentino down to lower Lazio: the advice is to secure anything that could blow away on balconies and in gardens.
The cyclone's three fronts: what to expect
To get a clear picture of what's about to happen, we need to look at three key factors. First is the wind, which will blow with near-storm force intensity. Second is the snow, which will return to unusually low levels for this time of year. Third is the speed at which it will all unfold.
- Gale-force winds: Gusts exceeding 90-100 km/h across Tuscany, Lazio, Campania and the Apennine areas. Rough seas along exposed coastlines.
- Snow at low levels: Expected already below 600-800 metres on the central Apennines. The odd flake on the plains between Emilia and Marche cannot be ruled out.
- Swift action: The worst will be concentrated in 36 hours. From the weekend, high pressure will try to regain control.
Where and when it will hit hardest
This cyclone won't be shy. We're talking about a vortex that will feed itself over our sea, bringing extreme conditions in succession. In the North-West and over the Alps, snowfall will be heavy above 600-800 metres, with exceptional accumulations beyond 1500 metres. In the central Tyrrhenian area, the main issue will be very strong thunderstorms and rough seas, with snow on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines at levels that will remind us of the depths of winter. In the South and on the islands, the worsening conditions will arrive between Thursday and Friday, with a risk of violent downpours in Sicily and Calabria precisely when the vortex moves eastward.
Anyone planning to travel would be wise to check 3BMeteo before heading out. This evening's Weather Forecasts indicate gusts so strong they could cause travel disruption, with possible closures of stretches of road and motorway across the Apennine passes. And for those living in Rome, I know you're used to everything, but brace yourselves for a drastic drop in temperatures between Thursday and Friday, accompanied by wind that will send umbrellas flying.
The good news? When a cyclone has this much force, it usually burns out quickly. From the weekend, high pressure will try to make an appearance, bringing back some stability and milder temperatures. But until then, hold tight: winter has decided to remind us it's still here, and it will do so with the bluster of the wind and the silent white blanket of out-of-season snow.