Orange alert in part of Lazio and in Calabria as Atlantic storm approaches.Italy is bracing for another wave of bad weather as an Atlantic storm, sweeping in from the French coast, begins to advance across the Mediterranean.The Italian civil protection department has issued a series of weather warnings for 13 regions, highlighting a "deteriorating atmospheric picture" that is expected to peak over the next 24 to 48 hours. While much of the country is under a lower-risk yellow warning (allerta gialla), the risk has been elevated to a moderate-risk orange alert (allerta arancione) for the southern part of Lazio (the region around Rome) and Calabria in the south. Residents in these areas are warned of intense rainfall, with heavy downpours capable of causing flash floods and landslides; thunderstorm activity and potential hail; and gale-force winds that could impact infrastructure, lead to falling trees and cause problems along exposed coastlines. In Calabria, the situation has prompted several mayors to sign emergency ordinances closing schools for Friday 6 February, including in Lamezia Terme, with authorities opting for extreme caution to ensure the safety of students. The rest of the country is experiencing widespread instability, leading to yellow alerts being declared in 13 regions across central and southern Italy, as well as parts of the north. The regions include Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Sicily, and parts of Sardinia. This decision reflects a sensitive meteorological situation, characterised by heavy rain and thunderstorms that increase the risk of landslides and flooding in areas already battered by the recent Cyclone Harry. The civil protection department, in coordination with regional authorities, has warned that saturated ground may struggle to absorb the new influx of water, increasing the risk of river overflows and urban flooding. Authorities recommend caution when driving and advise people to check official updates and follow safety guidelines from civil protection channels. Last week the Italian government declared a national state of emergency for the regions of Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Harry. The decision aims to accelerate recovery efforts and provide immediate relief to communities brought to their knees by the storm, including in the Sicilian town of Niscemi where 1,500 people were evacuated following a massive landslide. Cyclone Harry, which battered southern Italy between 18 and 22 January, was described by meteorologists as one of the most violent Mediterranean storms in decades.

Italy is bracing for another wave of bad weather as an Atlantic storm, sweeping in from the French coast, begins to advance across the Mediterranean. The Italian civil protection department has issued a series of weather warnings for 13 regions, highlighting a "deteriorating atmospheric picture" that is expected to peak over the next 24 to 48 hours. While much of the country is under a lower-risk yellow warning (allerta gialla), the risk has been elevated to a (allerta arancione) for the southern part of Lazio (the region around Rome) and Calabria in the south. Residents in these areas are warned of intense rainfall, with heavy downpours capable of causing flash floods and landslides; thunderstorm activity and potential hail; and gale-force winds that could impact infrastructure, lead to falling trees and cause problems along exposed coastlines. In Calabria, the situation has prompted several mayors to sign emergency ordinances closing schools for Friday 6 February, including in Lamezia Terme, with authorities opting for extreme caution to ensure the safety of students. The rest of the country is experiencing widespread instability, leading to across central and southern Italy, as well as parts of the north. The regions include Marche, Umbria, Abruzzo, Campania, Molise, Basilicata, Puglia, Emilia-Romagna, Friuli Venezia-Giulia, Sicily, and parts of Sardinia. This decision reflects a sensitive meteorological situation, characterised by heavy rain and thunderstorms that increase the risk of landslides and flooding in areas already . The civil protection department, in coordination with regional authorities, has warned that saturated ground may struggle to absorb the new influx of water, increasing the risk of river overflows and urban flooding. Authorities recommend caution when driving and advise people to check official updates and follow safety guidelines from civil protection channels. Last week the Italian government declared a for the regions of Sicily, Sardinia and Calabria following the catastrophic impact of Cyclone Harry. The decision aims to accelerate recovery efforts and provide immediate relief to communities brought to their knees by the storm, including in where 1,500 people were evacuated following a massive landslide. Cyclone Harry, which battered southern Italy between 18 and 22 January, was described by meteorologists as one of the most violent Mediterranean storms in decades.