The Italian Civil Protection Department issued an Orange weather alert early on 28 January for Lazio, Molise and Sardinia, with a nationwide Yellow alert for most remaining regions, as Atlantic storm ‘Kristin’ sweeps the peninsula. Authorities warn of torrential rain, gale-force winds and coastal storm surges through the night, with avalanche red flags already hoisted in the Western Alps after last week’s deadly Storm Harry.
Transport operators moved quickly. Trenitalia activated its ‘severe weather’ protocol, allowing free rebooking or refunds for journeys originating in the affected regions on 28–29 January. Aeroporti di Roma urged passengers to check flight status before travelling to Fiumicino or Ciampino; ground-handling unions said staffing could be thinned if wind gusts exceed 70 km/h on the aprons. Several cruise lines scheduled to call at Civitavecchia and Cagliari diverted to alternative Mediterranean ports, while the port of Olbia halted fast-ferry departures after noon.
Travellers caught in itinerary turmoil should also remember the paperwork side of any last-minute changes. VisaHQ’s Italy team (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can fast-track visa extensions, passport renewals and supporting travel letters, helping business and leisure visitors maintain legal compliance if weather-related disruptions force overstays or rerouting to other Schengen countries.
![Orange-level weather alert across central and southern Italy as Storm Kristin threatens transport network]()
For business-travel managers the timing is awkward: Rome hosts multiple fashion-trade previews this week and Sardinia’s winter agritech fair opens on 30 January. Companies have been advised to build 24-hour buffers into travel schedules, book flexible rail fares, and remind employees of Italy’s duty-of-care rules (Legislative Decree 81/08) when sending staff to zones under civil-protection alerts.
Local authorities in Rome and Cagliari have ordered parks and certain arterial roads closed to reduce the risk from falling trees and flooding. Schools in parts of Lazio switched to remote classes and commercial property managers have been told to secure scaffolding and signage.
Storm Kristin is the third severe system to hit Italy this month, underscoring a growing need for climate-resilience planning in mobility programmes. Insurers warn that repeated ‘extraordinary event’ clauses could raise premiums for relocation shipments and corporate travel policies in 2026.
Transport operators moved quickly. Trenitalia activated its ‘severe weather’ protocol, allowing free rebooking or refunds for journeys originating in the affected regions on 28–29 January. Aeroporti di Roma urged passengers to check flight status before travelling to Fiumicino or Ciampino; ground-handling unions said staffing could be thinned if wind gusts exceed 70 km/h on the aprons. Several cruise lines scheduled to call at Civitavecchia and Cagliari diverted to alternative Mediterranean ports, while the port of Olbia halted fast-ferry departures after noon.
Travellers caught in itinerary turmoil should also remember the paperwork side of any last-minute changes. VisaHQ’s Italy team (https://www.visahq.com/italy/) can fast-track visa extensions, passport renewals and supporting travel letters, helping business and leisure visitors maintain legal compliance if weather-related disruptions force overstays or rerouting to other Schengen countries.
For business-travel managers the timing is awkward: Rome hosts multiple fashion-trade previews this week and Sardinia’s winter agritech fair opens on 30 January. Companies have been advised to build 24-hour buffers into travel schedules, book flexible rail fares, and remind employees of Italy’s duty-of-care rules (Legislative Decree 81/08) when sending staff to zones under civil-protection alerts.
Local authorities in Rome and Cagliari have ordered parks and certain arterial roads closed to reduce the risk from falling trees and flooding. Schools in parts of Lazio switched to remote classes and commercial property managers have been told to secure scaffolding and signage.
Storm Kristin is the third severe system to hit Italy this month, underscoring a growing need for climate-resilience planning in mobility programmes. Insurers warn that repeated ‘extraordinary event’ clauses could raise premiums for relocation shipments and corporate travel policies in 2026.
