Bologna, 19 December 2024 – Emilia-Romagna is bracing for severe weather conditions as the Regional Civil Protection Agency has issued multiple weather alerts for Friday, December 20. An orange alert for wind and sea state has been declared, reflecting significant concerns for the eastern and central parts of the region.
Forecasters anticipate the arrival of a swift Atlantic disturbance accompanied by intense northeast winds. The expected winds are classified as strong, reaching speeds between 74 km/h and 88 km/h along the eastern coast, with moderate winds expected to hit between 62 km/h and 74 km/h across the central region and western hills.
According to reports by the Emilia-Romagna Regional Civil Protection Agency, waves are predicted to exceed 3.2 meters offshore, creating a potential hazard for the coastal areas, where localized erosion may occur.
Rainfall is also forecasted to affect local water bodies, with elevations likely to lead to increases in hydrometric levels, causing possible exceedances of threshold 1 levels for flooding. "The expected precipitation could cause increases in the hydrometric levels on waterways with possible exceedances of threshold 1," stated the agency.
Heavy snowfall is anticipated as well, particularly on the Apennines. Reports suggest accumulations could reach between 15 to 30 centimeters over the span of 24 hours, especially at elevations over 800 meters. "They could reach 15-30 centimeters in 24 hours in the eastern area," the agency noted.
The meteorological phenomena are expected to be most intense during the central hours of the day, with improvements anticipated by the afternoon, starting from the western parts of the region and gradually moving east.
Local residents are urged to remain vigilant and prepare for adverse weather impacts, particularly concerning the potential for localized flooding and treacherous travel conditions owing to the snowfall.
Interestingly, Saturday, December 21, is expected to bring clearer skies but colder temperatures, with minimums dipping between -4 and 1 degrees Celsius, leading to widespread frost. Highs for the day are predicted to remain between 6 and 9 degrees Celsius, promising a stark weather shift from the tumultuous conditions experienced during the week.
It is worth noting the subsequent forecast remains uncertain for early next week, with another wave of depression expected to slip down from the north. This may once again trigger conditions of instability, including the possibility of additional snowfall down to lower elevations, particularly on the Romagna Apennines. The agency emphasizes the unpredictability of snowfall localization and accumulation amounts, which remain high.
Residents are advised to stay tuned to official weather updates and prepare for a barrage of weather changes as Christmas approaches. With the tumultuous front affecting the region, it is recommended to take precautions against high winds, heavy snow, and potential flooding, all of which indicate just how volatile winter weather can be.
