Unusual weather conditions caused a danger level to be declared
Snow fell in Sicily and the slopes of Mount Vesuvius for the first time in four decades. The cause was unusual weather conditions – an Arctic storm hit southern Italy.
According to RAI News, the last time snow was observed in Messina was in 1985. In 2017, snow fell only at higher altitudes but now the city's streets are also covered with snow.
Due to extreme weather conditions, authorities issued an orange alert in the south of the country, including the Campania region, where Vesuvius is located. Central Italian regions are on yellow alert.
Forecasters note that, in general, the current winter corresponds to seasonal regularities. At the same time, they recall that in the past heavy snowfall sometimes occurred in the south of the country. Experts also point to a general trend of warmer winters in recent years.
