A Cold Snap From the North, and Florence Counts the Rain

Forecast models suggest the stratospheric polar vortex over the northern hemisphere could weaken significantly within the next ten days, the Guardian reported on Monday. An unusually early disruption to the ring of winds above the Arctic threatens to alter weather patterns across parts of Europe in the coming weeks.

Nearer the ground, The Local Italy reported that temperatures across Italy are set to fall below seasonal averages this week, with heavy rain and strong winds expected in the centre and south on Monday. Its Monday news roundup led with storm alerts for the south of the country.

On the southern coast the weather turned violent. Al Jazeera broadcast surveillance footage of the moment a tornado tore through a beach resort restaurant at Castellaneta Marina.