A Weakened Polar Vortex, and Italy's Cold Snap Reaches the Po Valley

Forecast models suggest the stratospheric polar vortex over the northern hemisphere could weaken significantly over the next 10 days, an unusually early disruption that threatens to alter weather patterns across parts of Europe in the coming weeks, the Guardian reported on Monday.

The same day, The Local Italy reported that temperatures are set to drop below seasonal averages across Italy this week, with heavy rainfall and strong winds expected in the centre and south on Monday.

The storm half of the episode was already visible. Al Jazeera broadcast surveillance footage of the moment a tornado tore through a beach resort restaurant at Castellaneta Marina, on Italy's southern coast.