The Po Valley could soon turn white due to an intense phase of bad weather expected in the coming days.
The weather conditions, so far dominated by sun and fog, are set to change rapidly.
A vast disturbance, generated by a lobe of the polar vortex, will bring intense cold and the possibility of snow at low altitudes in many cities of Northern Italy, including Turin, Milan, Pavia, Parma. A lobe of the polar vortex, separating from Greenland, will push towards the heart of Europe.
This imposing cyclonic structure will be characterized by a low pressure that could reach extreme values around 960 hPa, creating a context of impetuous winds and extreme weather conditions.
In addition to intense rains and windstorms, the cooling caused by polar air will favor the return of snow down to flat areas in much of Northern Europe and some areas of Central Europe.
Strong Libeccio winds in Italy
The arrival of the vortex over Central Europe will lead to an intensification of winds also on our peninsula.
In particular, the Libeccio winds will hit Central Italy and the Northern Apennines, with gusts that could exceed 100 km/h between November 20 and November 22.
The most exposed areas will be the coastal and mountainous ones, with risks of storm surges along the coasts and difficulties for traffic in the Apennine areas.
Polar air and the return of snow
Between Wednesday, November 20 and Friday, November 22, the passage of successive disturbances on the southern flank of the cyclone will bring a drastic drop in temperatures in Northern Italy.
The polar air will bring the mercury column close to zero even in the plains, favoring the first significant snowfalls of the season.
The cities of the Po Valley could thus witness an early winter spectacle, but the details are still uncertain. According to the European model ECMWF, a secondary depression could develop between the Ligurian Sea and the Po Valley, exploiting a cushion of cold air present in the lower layers.
This phenomenon could favor the formation of abundant snow, with accumulations of a few centimeters already above 200-300 meters of altitude.
However, the possibility of snowfalls in the plains will depend on the persistence of the cold air and the intensity of the precipitation.
Focus on Northern cities
The cities of Turin, Milan, Pavia, Parma, and Modena are at the center of attention for this first wave of winter cold.
In particular:
- In Turin, temperatures could drop below zero at night, favoring the formation of snow.
- Milan could be affected by intermittent snowfalls, especially in the peripheral districts.
- Pavia and Parma, being in transition areas between snow and rain, could record mixed phenomena.
- In Modena, the snow level will depend on the intensity of the cooling in the lower layers.
The weather situation remains subject to variations, as many details depend on the trajectory that the depression responsible for this bad weather will take.
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