Italy Weather Alert: Orange & Yellow Warnings for 6 Regions – Feb 20

Severe Weather Alerts Issued for Multiple Italian Regions

A weather disturbance currently impacting Italy is moving towards the central-south, continuing to bring adverse weather conditions to several regions, including rainfall and thunderstorms. Strong to intense Maestrale winds are also expected, particularly in exposed areas of Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria.

Based on available forecasts, the Department of Civil Protection, in coordination with the affected regions – who are responsible for activating civil protection systems within their territories – has issued an adverse weather conditions alert. These weather phenomena have the potential to cause hydrogeological and hydraulic criticalities across the country, as detailed in the national bulletin of criticality and alerts available on the Department’s website: www.protezionecivile.gov.it.

Specifically, for Friday, February 20th, an ORANGE alert has been issued for certain sectors of Calabria. A YELLOW alert is in effect for parts of Friuli Venezia Giulia, Umbria, Campania, Basilicata, Calabria, and Sicily.

The meteorological situation and predicted criticalities across Italy are updated daily based on new forecasts and the evolution of the phenomena. This information, along with general guidelines for behavior during severe weather, is available on the Department of Civil Protection website (www.protezionecivile.gov.it).

Information regarding regional alert levels, specific criticalities affecting individual territories, and preventative measures taken are managed by the territorial civil protection structures, with which the Department will continue to monitor the evolving situation.

The alert comes after a period of intense weather activity across Italy. According to reports from August 21, 2025, several regions experienced severe weather, including Emilia Romagna, Liguria, Lombardy, Tuscany, and Veneto. Campania, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Lazio, Marche, Molise, Piedmont, and Umbria were under yellow alert at that time. Hot weather also persisted in the south, with yellow alerts issued for Bari, Catania, and Palermo.

Tuscany, in particular, was described as having been hit by an “exceptional disturbance,” with cloudbursts impacting Elba and numerous areas of the region, from Prato to Grosseto. Over 109,000 lightning strikes were recorded in Tuscany within a twelve-hour period, according to the President of the Region, Eugenio Giani, who expressed gratitude to the regional civil protection system and volunteers involved in the response efforts. Giani emphasized the importance of continued investment in prevention and safety, stating that Tuscany “finds its greatest strength in the solidarity and unity of its community.”

The current forecast suggests that the foul weather is expected to continue into the weekend. The situation is being closely monitored as authorities prepare for potential further worsening conditions.

In a separate incident, the body of Matteo Ciurca, a 40-year-old man who had been missing since Tuesday afternoon, was found in Sicily. Ciurca’s vehicle was swept away by a sudden surge of water in the Crisa torrent in Leonforte, in the province of Enna, following heavy rainfall.

In Friuli Venezia Giulia, a yellow weather alert was issued, effective from 10 p.m. On Wednesday, February 18th, according to the regional civil protection agency.