Aeolian Islands Cut Off as Severe Weather Strikes Sicily

Catania: Sicily’s Aeolian islands faced significant disruptions when severe weather conditions severed connections on Friday. Torrential rains led to the closure of schools across Lipari, Vulcano, Salina, Stromboli, Filicudi, Alicudi, and Panarea.

According to Ansa News Agency, the torrential rainfall caused flooding in various parts of Sicily, including Taormina, where the Alcantara River overflowed, and Catania, where emergency services had to rescue an individual trapped in a submerged vehicle. In Caltanissetta, strong winds resulted in fallen trees and masonry. The adverse weather also led to school closures in parts of Sardinia, with a weather alert issued in Calabria.

Antonio San², a renowned Italian meteorologist and founder of the site ‘iLMeteo.it’, explained that the severe weather, driven by a Tunisian vortex, is expected to continue its impact on Sicily, Sardinia, and Calabria. This weather system is anticipated to bring considerable rainfall and a heightened risk of flooding. San² warned that the Sirocco winds would cause snowmelt, contributing further to river flooding.

The forecast predicts intense rainfall in Sicily, eastern Calabria, and Tyrrhenian Sardinia, with the heaviest precipitation expected in the afternoon. The winds, rotating cyclonically around a low-pressure area north of Tunisia, could reach gusts exceeding 100 km/h, with waves up to 5-6 meters high, potentially leading to storm surges.

San² emphasized the severity of the situation, noting, “we will have a black Friday the 17th from a meteorological point of view,” with up to 200 mm of rain expected in 24 hours, significant snowfall on Mount Etna, and strong winds. The adverse weather is forecasted to move slightly north on Saturday, continuing to affect southern Italy. By Sunday, while the south remains impacted, the north, particularly Piedmont, is expected to see overcast skies and light precipitation. The central regions, especially Sardinia and the Tyrrhenian areas, will experience rain, with western Sicily and the Ionian sectors between Calabria and Puglia also seeing scattered showers.