Three cyclones arriving in Europe: heavy snow in the Alps, avalanche warning and an unstable week also in the Mediterranean
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Three low pressures from the Atlantic are targeting Europe
Three low pressure systems are organizing over the Atlantic and moving towards Europe, fueled by a particularly active westerly flow. Projections indicate wind gusts of up to 100 kilometers per hour in the most exposed areas, intense rain and new snowfall in the Alps as early as Tuesday.
The synoptic configuration confirms a pattern of persistent instability that characterizes February 2026. After months dominated by drier conditions between September and January, the Atlantic circulation has once again become the protagonist with a sequence of close disturbances.
This update is part of our analysis on Weather in Italy.
Italy in the crosshairs of depression number 3
For Italy, attention is focused above all on the third depression system, expected to enter the Mediterranean more directly between Wednesday evening and Thursday. This would be the most incisive impulse of the entire week, with widespread rainfall, strengthening winds and a possible new drop in temperatures at altitude.
However, the picture remains evolving. The modeling updates in the next few days will be decisive in defining the exact trajectory of the minimum and the distribution of precipitation, especially between the North and the Tyrrhenian side. The impression, at the moment, is that next week will also be characterized by unreliable weather, with alternating disturbed phases and short breaks.
Rainfall useful against drought, but the hydrogeological risk is growing
The return of the great Atlantic rains represents double-sided news. On the one hand, precipitation can help reduce the water deficit accumulated in the autumn and winter months, recharging reservoirs and aquifers. On the other hand, the concentration of rainfall in close intervals increases the risk of landslides, mudslides and flash floods, especially in territories that are already fragile from a hydrogeological point of view. After all, we had a month of January and February which in a large part of the Italian territory were characterized by consistent and insistent rain.
Heavy snow and avalanche warning in the Alps
The Alps remain the most sensitive area at this stage. The snowfalls expected at high altitude will add to the recent accumulations, while the French and Italian authorities have already reported an avalanche danger level of 4 out of 5 in several Alpine sectors. Some ski areas have ordered temporary closures and in recent days there have been victims linked to snow releases.
For hikers and skiers it is a phase that requires maximum caution. The snowpack, stratified and unstable after repeated episodes of disturbance, can react quickly to new snowfall and thermal variations.
A phase to be monitored day by day
For the moment it is clear that the weather in Italy still remains governed by the western flow even if something seems to be starting to move in the long term: for the moment and for the next 4/5 days we do not see any particular variations especially due to possible cold arrivals. We will talk about this in more detail, focusing on the third ten days of February.
date: 2026-02-15 02:03:00
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