Arctic cyclone on the way: severe weather warnings, 100km/h winds, and low-level snow. Emanuele Bompan (3BMeteo) explains what’s in store

We’re almost there. After weeks of almost spring-like weather that had us fooled, winter is about to roar back with a vengeance. Just one look at today’s weather models shows this is no ordinary cold snap: a genuine Arctic cyclone is heading straight for Italy. And when Emanuele Bompan, the familiar face of 3B Meteo, calls it a "significant event", anyone with a memory knows he’s not just making noise. This is a low-pressure system that could bring the country to its knees for at least 48 hours.

The Arctic blast will start making its presence felt in the coming hours, but the peak is expected between Thursday and Friday. The cyclone will deepen over the Ligurian Sea, setting up the perfect conditions to pull freezing air across the entire Italian peninsula and create widespread instability. The one thing to watch for: wind. Gusts could exceed 100km/h along the Tyrrhenian coasts and across the Apennine ridges. Local authorities have already begun issuing strong wind warnings in several regions, from Trentino down to southern Lazio – the advice is to secure anything on balconies or in gardens that could be blown away.

The cyclone’s three key impacts: here’s what to expect

To get a clear picture of what’s about to unfold, you need to look at three key factors. First, the wind, which will be blowing with gale-force intensity. Second, the snow, which is set to fall at unusually low elevations for this time of year. Third, the speed at which all of this will play out.

• Gale-force winds: Gusts exceeding 90-100km/h across Tuscany, Lazio, Campania, and the Apennine areas. Rough seas along exposed coastlines.
• Low-level snow: Expected already below 600-800 metres on the central Apennines. A few flakes can’t be ruled out on the plains between Emilia and Le Marche.
• Rapid movement: The worst conditions will be concentrated within 36 hours. From the weekend, high pressure will try to regain control.

Where and when it will hit hardest

This cyclone won’t hold back. We’re talking about a low-pressure system that will feed itself over our seas, unleashing a sequence of extreme conditions. In the northwest and over the Alps, snowfall will be heavy above 600-800 metres, with exceptional accumulations above 1,500 metres. For the central Tyrrhenian regions, the main concerns will be severe thunderstorms and rough seas, with snow on the Tuscan-Emilian Apennines down to levels more typical of mid-winter. In the south and on the islands, conditions will worsen between Thursday and Friday, with a risk of violent downpours in Sicily and Calabria as the cyclone shifts eastward.

Anyone planning to travel would be wise to check 3BMeteo before heading out. This evening’s weather forecasts indicate gusts strong enough to disrupt traffic, with potential road and motorway closures over the Apennine passes. And for those in Rome, I know you’re used to everything, but brace for a sharp temperature drop between Thursday and Friday, accompanied by wind that’ll have your umbrella doing acrobatics.

The good news? When a cyclone packs this much punch, it usually burns out quickly. By the weekend, high pressure is expected to make a comeback, bringing a bit more stability and milder temperatures. But until then, hold on tight: winter has decided to remind us it’s still here, and it’ll do so with the roar of the wind and the quiet hush of out-of-season snow.