Severe hailstorms disrupt traffic and trigger alerts across Italy
Intense hailstorms swept parts of Italy, destroying numerous vehicles and forcing sections of the highway network to shut down. The weather brought rapid shifts between torrential rain, strong winds and large hail, causing drivers to change routes or stop while waiting for conditions to improve.
The Italian Air Force's meteorological service issued an alert covering four regions—Lazio, Basilicata, Calabria and Tuscany—warning of strong thunderstorms, localised hail and gusty winds from 28 to 29 May 2026. The bulletin emphasized the need for local civil‑protection agencies to monitor the situation closely.
Agricultural areas, especially vineyards and high‑value crops, also faced stress from the heavy precipitation and hail, raising concerns about potential damage to seasonal harvests.