AccuWeather.com reports as rescue efforts continue in and round L'Aquila, Italy, the weather is taking a turn for the worse. The last couple of days have been dry with daytime highs near 60 F (15 C) and lows at night around 42 F (6 C). The storm heading into Italy will change that starting Thursday. Showers and thunderstorms, some heavy, will occur in the earthquake damage zone. The concern we have is for storms with large hail and frequent lightning that could pose another danger to people left homeless seeking shelter in tent camps. In addition, heavy rain associated with the storms could hamper rescue efforts by causing damaged buildings to become even more unstable.
The wet weather will continue through Friday and Saturday as the storm producing the adverse weather becomes stalled across southern Italy. Rainfall up to 1.00 inch (2.54 cm) may occur over the next two days with an additional 0.50 of an inch (1.26 cm) on Saturday.
Temperatures over the next couple of days will be within a few degrees of 52 F (12 C) during the days and nighttime lows near 38F (4 C). The storm should move away Sunday and Monday allowing dry weather to return.
Winds should not be a problem generally. In thunderstorms, winds could gusts over 40 mph (64 kph) Thursday afternoon and Friday. Winds like that can cause damage, especially in areas where buildings are already weakened.
A 4.9-magnitude aftershock Tuesday interfered with rescue efforts and destroyed more buildings in the medieval city of L'Aquila, 60 miles northeast of Rome. Many of the people left homeless have taken shelter in tent camps set up across the region. The tents, however, will not provide much protection against the chilly overnight low temperatures currently forecast.
