Sardinia on red alert for severe weather, schools closed.

An incoming disturbance from the West has triggered a red weather alert for today, Thursday, November 5, 2026, in Sardinia, particularly in the eastern part of the island. Civil Protection has assessed a high level of criticality for hydrogeological risk in the Flumendosa-Flumineddu basins and in Gallura, with schools closed in several municipalities and numerous activities suspended.

The day will see rain and showers, including thunderstorms, entering the scene from late morning, with the afternoon being the most active phase for much of Sardinia. On the western part of the island and in several sectors of Sicily, a yellow weather alert is in effect for thunderstorms, hydrogeological, and hydraulic risk.

The cloud system will stabilize over the Western Mediterranean, dumping large quantities of rain. Mathematical models indicate very high precipitation values, making the weather situation particularly delicate. Authorities urge the public to follow the instructions issued by the relevant bodies.

Today's weather alert is the result of the arrival of an Atlantic disturbance, a low-pressure system laden with humid and unstable air typical of the autumn season. These systems, when they encounter the warm sea of the Mediterranean, can rapidly intensify and discharge large amounts of rain in just a few hours, a phenomenon known as "rain bombs" or "cloudbursts."

Sardinia, due to its isolated geographical position and mountainous terrain, is particularly vulnerable to these events. The humid currents from the east or southeast can indeed impact against the island's mountain ranges, releasing intense precipitation especially on the eastern (Tyrrhenian) slopes and causing rapid flooding of waterways and landslides. The hydrogeological risk, meaning the danger of landslides and floods, is therefore high.

The National Civil Protection, through its Department, constantly monitors these phenomena and, based on forecasts from mathematical models, issues criticality and alert bulletins to warn the population and local authorities, enabling the activation of protective measures such as school closures and traffic regulation.