Thunderstorms in central and northern Italy, yellow alert in eight regions

Thunderstorms are sweeping central and northern Italy, and a yellow bad-weather alert in two regions will be extended to six others Tuesday, the civil protection department said Monday. A fast-moving Atlantic low-pressure system in the northwest will bring about a period of severe weather and thunderstorms that, starting in the Alpine regions, will extend to most of the remaining central and northern regions tomorrow. Based on available forecasts, the civil protection department, in consultation with the affected regions, has issued a severe weather warning. Scattered to widespread precipitation is expected this afternoon/evening, including showers and thunderstorms, initially in the Aosta Valley, Piedmont, and the autonomous province of Bolzano, and extending from the early hours of tomor