Arezzo, Italy – Tuscany is bracing for a shift in weather conditions today, February 18th, with increasing cloud cover and scattered, light rainfall expected, particularly in the central and northern regions of the region. The change follows a period of relatively calm weather and is accompanied by the possibility of localized frost in inland plains.
Early this morning, fog and shallow banks of mist are forming in the internal valleys, specifically within the Valdarno, Val di Chiana, and Apennine basins. These conditions are expected to dissipate after sunrise. Temperatures are anticipated to drop overnight, creating conditions favorable for frost formation on the more sheltered plains, due to clearing skies, diminishing winds, and temperature inversions.
Throughout the morning, cloud cover will gradually increase, beginning in the northwest sectors of Tuscany. Heavier concentrations of clouds are predicted over Lunigiana, the Apuan Alps, and Versilia, progressively extending towards the central areas.
Between late morning and the afternoon, the skies over the central-northern provinces are forecast to develop into partly or fully overcast, with the likelihood of scattered showers. These showers are expected to be generally light in intensity, with the Lucca, Pisa, Livorno, Pistoia, and Prato areas most likely to be affected. Florence may as well experience irregular rainfall. Accumulations are expected to be modest, whereas slightly higher amounts are possible in the Apuan and Apennine mountains.
Southern Tuscany, encompassing the Grosseto and lower Senese areas, will experience variable cloud cover but with more sporadic or absent precipitation for much of the day.
During the late afternoon and evening, precipitation is expected to persist in the center-north, remaining weak or moderate in foothill areas, while elsewhere, showers will be isolated or intermittent.
Winds will be light, blowing from the south, southwest, and south-southeast. Along the coast and within the Archipelago, winds will strengthen, creating a very choppy sea in the northern sector and a choppy sea in the southern sector.
Temperatures are predicted to experience a slight decrease in both minimum and maximum values, resulting in generally cool and humid conditions with a limited daily temperature range.
The Val di Chiana, a valley situated between the provinces of Arezzo and Siena in Tuscany, and Perugia and Terni in Umbria, is specifically mentioned in the forecast due to its susceptibility to fog formation. The valley, historically known as the Valle del Clanis, is characterized by alluvial deposits and the presence of the Chiusi and Montepulciano lakes. The Chiana river, once prone to flooding, was canalized in the 18th century and now flows into the Arno and Tiber rivers.
Looking ahead to February 19th, a widespread period of rainfall is expected across Tuscany, particularly during the first part of the day. Following this, variable conditions with intermittent instability are anticipated, with a return of snowfall in the Apennines at mid-altitudes.