As unstable weather continues to sweep across Italy, many regions are bracing for a series of storms over the coming days. On March 23, 2025, heavy rain and even snow were reported primarily in the northern and central parts of the country, marking the latest in a string of unstable weather systems.
The situation worsened in the extreme northwest of the country, where cloud cover began to increase significantly in western Piedmont and Valle d'Aosta. The first signs of precipitation were felt on the Marittime and Cozie mountains, particularly with snow falling above 1500 to 1600 meters. According to local meteorological reports, significant rainfall was recorded in the Levante Ligure region, which experienced intensive rainfall, particularly in the internal sectors that saw an additional 20mm of rain just during the morning hours.
In Friuli Venezia Giulia (VG), conditions escalated quickly, with almost 90mm of rain recorded by noon on March 23, particularly concentrated in the Giulia area. Meteorologists noted that strong thunderstorms swept through the region, especially in Tarvisiano, close to the Slovenian border, with rainfall reaching over 40mm and snow falling at elevations above 1700 meters.
By the morning of March 23, a broad depression lurking over central-western Europe had sent a troubled weather impulse towards Italy. This latest weather front primarily affected northern Italy and those areas bordering the upper Tyrrhenian Sea. However, some of the precipitation and storm activity extended into the southern regions as well.
The night previous, from March 22 into March 23, heavy rain and showers struck much of Northern Italy, leading to rainfall accumulations as high as 70mm in places like the Spezzino hinterland, with over 60mm recorded on the Prealpi Giulie. The snow levels varied between 1000 and 1200m during this period, with up to 30cm of snow accumulating over 2000 meters in the western Alps.
In the Genoese area, the storm resulted in severe flooding, particularly in Valpolcevera and western Genoa, where fallen trees prompted emergency response efforts by firefighters.
Central Italy for its part saw the highest rainfall in the Tyrrhenian regions. Areas in Tuscany received up to 35mm of rain, while Ternano experienced up to 20mm. Despite the downpours, conditions began to ease as time went on, diminishing after the initial wave of storms.
As the disturbed weather systems continued to push southward, showers and thunderstorms reached the southern part of the country, affecting eastern Sicily, Calabria, Lucania, and Puglia, although these phenomena were generally weaker and expected to fade quickly.
Looking ahead, the weather forecast indicated more instability and scattered showers between March 23 and 24, particularly in the north and center of Italy. A new disturbed impulse is expected to make its presence felt, predominantly in the north during the evening of March 23 and morning of March 24. Meanwhile, on March 25, the focus of the most intense weather will shift further south, affecting central and southern regions.
Until 14:00 on March 23, ongoing rain was expected across various parts of Italy. Once the initial showers had passed over the Levante Ligure, a small reprieve with some sunshine was anticipated in the northwest. However, piovaschi (drizzles) and showers would persist across areas in upper Lombardy and the Triveneto region, gradually tapering off towards noon. Isolated showers were also forecasted for the central regions, particularly in Lazio, western Umbria, and the hinterland of Marche.
From 14:00 to 20:00 on March 23, another wave of rain was anticipated in the northwest, primarily in western Liguria. After a quick break in the north's central-eastern region, further rain would arrive in western Lombardy. Additionally, scattered showers were expected across central-northern Sardinia, and between Umbria and Marche moving toward the east, with the rest of the peninsula remaining dry or seeing less rain overall.
On Monday morning, March 24, showers were predicted in the regions of Piedmont, western Lombardy, and central-western Liguria, with possible brief thunderstorms. Local rain showers were also expected throughout Emilia Romagna, lower Veneto, Friuli, and further south between Sicily and Calabria. By afternoon, an improvement in conditions was anticipated for the northwest, with rain ceasing steadily by the afternoon.
However, a significantly marked worsening is expected starting March 25, primarily in southern Italy, where torrential rain could result from strong weather fronts passing through the area.
Given the dynamic and rapidly changing nature of this weather, authorities and residents alike are advised to stay vigilant, prepared, and responsive to shifts in weather patterns as conditions can change swiftly.
