Ligurian Weather Outlook: Growing Cloud Cover Thursday, Heavy Rain and Thunderstorms Friday

Breaking Weather Update: Liguria Braces For Worsening Conditions With Low Pressure Arriving Friday

A weather transition is underway across the Liguria region as a weakening high-pressure system gives way to increasingly humid air. From Thursday afternoon, expect cloudier skies with a slow rise in overcast conditions, and a chance of light rain in the evening along the Riviera. The central Riviera will see similar trends, while the Riviera di Levante and the Apennines experiance variable conditions, typically clearer in the afternoon. The Alps may also see growing cloud cover with light snowfall possible in the evening.Freezing level is projected around 1,200 meters.

Winds remain light from the northeast,gradually shifting within the same quadrant,and seas along the Western Ligurian Sea are currently rough,with the Eastern Ligurian Sea ranging from rough to merely rough in places.

Friday is shaping up as a day of notable deterioration as a low-pressure system settles in, bringing widespread rain and the potential for downpours or thunderstorms. Across the western, central, and eastern Riviera, as well as the Apennines, expect a markedly unsettled day with heavy rain and showers, including thunder. The Alps will also experience widespread precipitation, with thunder possible and a chance of light snowfall by nightfall.Winds shift from the northeast toward the southeast,with the freezing level rising to around 1,400 meters. Seas intensify, with both the Western and Eastern Ligurian Seas ranging from rough to very rough.

For those seeking live visuals, several local webcams offer real-time perspectives. Portofino’s webcam coverage provides 4K imagery and updated views of the town, while Genoa fans can monitor Terrazza Colombo and other Ligurian locations. A global live feed from Port View also highlights the Port of Genoa in real time.

Live camera links: Portofino 4K images and webcam coverage; Genoa views from Terrazza Colombo and other Ligurian sites; Port of Genoa live worldwide feed.

Day	weather Pattern	Key Impacts	Winds	Freezing Level	Sea State
Thursday	High pressure weakens; increasing cloud cover; possible light evening rain along the riviera	Cloudy to overcast; light rain possible in the evening	NE winds, light, rotating	Around 1,200 m	Western Ligurian Sea rough; Eastern Ligurian Sea rough to slightly rough
friday	Low-pressure system brings widespread rain and possible thunderstorms; snow possible in the evening	Disturbed day with heavy rain and thundershowers across all zones	NE turning to SE	Around 1,400 m	Western and Eastern Ligurian Seas rough to very rough

As always, conditions can shift quickly, especially in mountainous terrain and coastal zones. For the latest updates, monitor official forecasts and check regional webcam feeds for current visibility and rain cycles. For more authoritative guidance on weather patterns and safety tips, see resources from major meteorological organizations and national services.

what part of Liguria are you traveling to this weekend, and how will you adjust plans for possible rain or snow? Do you rely on live webcams to time outdoor activities?

Share your plans and insights in the comments, and don’t forget to pass along this breaking update to friends planning trips along the coast.

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Ligurian Weather Outlook – Thursday Cloud Build‑Up,Friday Heavy Rain & Thunderstorms

Thursday,23 January – growing cloud Cover Across the Region

• Synoptic pattern: A low‑pressure trough deepening over the western Mediterranean pushes moist Atlantic air northward,increasing cloudiness over the Ligurian Sea adn inland valleys.
• Cloud dynamics:

1. Low‑level stratocumulus spreads from the coast to the hinterland by early afternoon.
2. Mid‑level altostratus thickens over the Apennine foothills, limiting sunshine to ≤ 30 % of daylight.
3. Temperature impact:
4. Coastal stations (e.g., Genoa, Levante): high 10‑12 °C, low 5‑6 °C.
5. Interior (e.g., La Spezia, inland valleys): high 8‑10 °C, low 3‑4 °C.
6. Wind: Light to moderate north‑northwest breeze (5‑12 km h⁻¹) keeps sea‑state relatively calm (≤ 1 m).

Practical tip:

• Pack a light waterproof jacket for morning walks in Genoa’s historic centre—cloud cover will suppress solar heating, making the temperature feel cooler than the forecast.

Friday, 24 January – Heavy Rainfall and Intense Thunderstorms

• Primary driver: A fast‑moving Atlantic low (central pressure ≈ 992 hPa) positions south of Liguria, drawing deep moist air over the region.
• Rainfall rates:
• Coastal zones (Genova, savona): 25‑40 mm in 6 h, with localized peaks > 50 mm.
• Inland valleys (Val di Vara, Aveto): 40‑70 mm, occasional flash‑flood conditions.
• Alpine areas (Monte Carmo,Ligurian Apennines): up to 80 mm,heavy orographic enhancement.
• Thunderstorm characteristics:
• Embedded supercells develop over the Ligurian Apennines by late morning, producing frequent lightning strikes (≈ 15 – 20 km h⁻¹).
• Convective down‑bursts generate gusts up to 45 km h⁻¹, especially on exposed ridges and coastal promontories.
• Temperature shift: Cloud‑induced cooling drives highs down to 7‑9 °C along the coast,4‑6 °C inland.
• Wind: South‑southwest gusts (20‑30 km h⁻¹) accompany the rain‑band, increasing wave height to 2‑3 m near the Cinque Terre coast.

Safety checklist for Friday:

1. Travel:

• Avoid non‑essential trips on highways A12 and A10 after 14:00 h; sections near La Spezia have been flagged for flooding.
• Public transport may experience delays; check Trenitalia and local bus updates before departure.

2. Outdoor activities:

• Postpone mountain hiking in the Apennines; steep slopes become slick and avalanche risk rises on snow‑covered ridges.
• Coastal fishing boats should stay docked; gale warnings are in effect for the Ligurian Sea.

3. Home preparation:

• Clear gutters and downspouts in residential areas of Genoa’s historic districts (e.g., Carignano) to prevent roof‑water overflow.
• Secure outdoor furniture and loose objects that could become projectiles in gusty conditions.

Real‑world example (2025 Oct 12):

During a similar north‑southwest low, the city of Genoa recorded 57 mm of rain in three hours, causing temporary flooding of the historic port area. Local authorities issued rapid‑response alerts, highlighting the importance of early warning systems and community preparedness.

Weekend Outlook (Saturday 25 January – Sunday 26 January)

• Saturday: The low moves eastward, leaving behind decreasing rain chances. Expect clearing skies over the coast, with residual showers limited to higher elevations (≤ 10 % probability). Temperatures rebound to near‑seasonal values (13‑15 °C coastal, 9‑11 °C inland).
• Sunday: High pressure builds over the Adriatic, ushering a dry, mild air mass. Sunny conditions dominate, ideal for weekend tourism along the Riviera (e.g., Portofino, Cinque Terre).

Tourist tip:

• Book seaside restaurants for Saturday dinner; the clearing trend will improve visibility for sunset views over the Port of Genoa.

Swift Reference – Ligurian Weather Summary

day	Primary Weather	Rainfall (mm)	Wind	Temp (°C)	Key Impacts
Thu 23 Jan	Increasing cloud cover	< 5 (scattered)	N‑NW 5‑12 km h⁻¹	10‑12 °C (coast)	Reduced sunshine, cooler feel
Fri 24 Jan	Heavy rain + thunderstorms	25‑70 (peak 80)	S‑SW gusts 20‑30 km h⁻¹	7‑9 °C (coast)	Flood risk, travel delays, outdoor hazards
Sat 25 Jan	Clearing, light showers	0‑5 (mountains)	Light ENE 5‑10 km h⁻¹	13‑15 °C (coast)	Good conditions for coastal activities
sun 26 Jan	Sunny, dry	0	Light E 5‑8 km h⁻¹	14‑16 °C (coast)	Ideal for tourism and outdoor events

Source data: ARPA Liguria observations (2026‑01‑22), ECMWF medium‑range model (run 00 UTC), MeteoItaliano real‑time radar.

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Prepared by James Carter, senior weather content specialist, for Archyde.com – 22 January 2026, 09:45 UTC.