Severe Weather Prompts Orange Weather Alerts and School Closures Across Southern Italy

Severe weather conditions continue to affect southern regions of the country, prompting the Department of Civil Protection to issue and extend orange and yellow weather alerts for Tuesday, November 3, 2026. The latest national bulletins highlight ongoing risks related to hydrogeological impacts, intense thunderstorms, and strong winds, prompting local authorities to implement safety measures and precautions.

In Puglia, the orange alert for hydrogeological risks and severe storms has been extended until 6:00 AM on Tuesday, affecting areas such as the Gargano and Tremiti islands, Basso Fortore, Sub-Appennino Dauno, Tavoliere, and the central Adriatic coast. Local municipalities, including Bisceglie, have extended safety advisories for rain and wind while monitoring conditions closely. Meanwhile, the region also faces a yellow alert for wind, with gale-force gusts expected along northern coastal sectors.

Basilicata has seen a slight reduction in its highest-level warnings, with four zones listed under the orange alert status for hydrogeological risks on Tuesday, compared to seven zones the previous day. Three additional zones have transitioned to a yellow alert level. Despite the localized reduction in moderate criticality, a yellow alert for hydraulic risks remains active across all seven areas in the region, and authorities urge residents to check official municipal maps for precise community-level updates.

In addition to Puglia and Basilicata, regional bulletins from Civil Protection have maintained yellow alerts for various zones across Abruzzo, Calabria, and Campania. In Sicily, an ongoing yellow operational phase for hydro-geological and hydraulic risks remains in effect through midnight on Tuesday, bringing scattered precipitation, strong northern winds, and rough seas, alongside controlled water releases from several regional reservoirs.

The persistent adverse weather has directly impacted educational activities across multiple municipalities. In Chieti, Abruzzo, local authorities confirmed the suspension of classes across all public and private schools, daycare facilities, and educational centers for Tuesday, November 3. The closure follows localized flooding and water infiltration in some school buildings, requiring safety evaluations by municipal technicians.

Additional school closures were enacted in Lanciano, where the Olmo di Riccio primary school will remain closed through November 5 for maintenance and safety restoration, and the D'Annunzio secondary school suspended classes on Tuesday for cleanup operations following water infiltration. At the Gabriele d'Annunzio University of Chieti-Pescara, scheduled lectures transitioned to remote learning formats to minimize student travel during the severe weather emergency.

In Campania, the municipal administration of San Michele di Serino in the Avellino province ordered the temporary closure of all local schools for Tuesday. The mayoral ordinance mandates the suspension of in-person learning to allow the municipal technical office to safely conduct structural assessments and urgent technical interventions.

Civil Protection officials recommend that citizens consult official regional and municipal channels before planning outdoor activities or travel. Residents are advised to monitor local forecasts closely, observe safety instructions during thunderstorms, and verify individual school notices regarding attendance and transportation modifications.