Red alert for thunderstorms in Sardinia, schools closed in 9 municipalities.

The National Civil Protection Agency has issued a red weather alert for Thursday, November 5, 2026, focused on the eastern sectors of Sardinia. The alert, the most severe level, concerns hydrogeological, hydraulic, and thunderstorm risks. In response, the mayors of nine Sardinian municipalities have ordered the closure of all schools of every level for the entire day.

The municipalities affected by the school closures are Olbia, Nuoro, Bitti, Budoni, Loiri Porto San Paolo, Orosei, Torpé, and Posada. The mayor of Olbia, Settimo Nizzi, extended the measure to include the closure of public offices that receive the public, municipal cemeteries, and the urban park, while still guaranteeing essential minimum services. For Sicily, a yellow-level weather alert has been assessed instead.

The bulletin forecasts, starting from the afternoon-evening of today, Wednesday, November 4, widespread precipitation across Sardinia, particularly intense in the eastern and coastal sectors. The phenomena will be characterized by high-intensity showers, strong wind gusts, possible hail, and frequent electrical activity.

The national alert system for meteorological and hydrogeological risk is managed by the Civil Protection Department, in coordination with the Regions. The alert is issued based on forecasts provided by meteorological agencies and indicates the possible evolution of critical situations across the territory. There are four levels: green (no significant phenomena), yellow (ordinary criticality), orange (moderate criticality), and red (high criticality).

The current event is caused by a low-pressure system positioned over the western Mediterranean, which will tend to move eastward, leading to a period of bad weather over Sardinia. These types of autumn disturbances, laden with moisture, can release substantial amounts of rain in a short time, especially over exposed areas. Due to its topography and the presence of sensitive river basins like those of the Flumendosa and Flumineddu, Sardinia is particularly vulnerable to hydrogeological risk (landslides, flooding) and hydraulic risk (river overflows).

The decision to close schools and limit outdoor activities is a primary prevention measure, implemented by local authorities based on national alerts, to minimize the population's exposure to dangers arising from severe thunderstorms, flash floods, and landslide phenomena. The evolution of the situation is constantly monitored, and the criticality bulletin is updated daily.