Storms and Hail Hit Milan Area; Orange Alert Issued
Listen to the story
Milan and the surrounding area have been hit by severe storms and hail, leading authorities to issue an orange alert for the city today. Because of the dangerous weather, all city parks have been closed.
An orange alert is a warning used in Italy for significant weather risks. It tells people to be careful and avoid unnecessary travel or outdoor activities.
The Lecco area, north of Milan, is also expecting strong adverse weather today. Local authorities have warned residents to prepare for storms.
The bad weather is affecting a wider region. Lombardy, the region that includes Milan, has an orange alert, while neighboring Piedmont has been given a yellow alert, a lower level of warning.
Forecasters have predicted thunderstorms and strong winds across both regions. These conditions can cause flooding, fallen trees, and damage to property.
Officials are advising people to stay indoors when possible and to avoid parks, tall trees, and open areas during the storms. Local governments continue to monitor the situation closely and may issue further warnings if conditions worsen.
Vocabulary6 words
- hail
- small hard balls of ice that fall during a storm
- orange alert
- a serious warning about dangerous weather coming
- adverse weather
- weather that is bad or dangerous
- yellow alert
- a warning about some danger, less serious than orange
- thunderstorms
- storms with thunder, lightning, and heavy rain
- winds
- strong movements of air
Quiz
Answer key
1. Severe storms and hail 2. Piedmont 3. False
Fill-in-the-blank listening
Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.
Milan and the surrounding area have been hit by severe storms and _____, leading authorities to issue an _____ for the city today.
An orange alert is a warning used in Italy for significant weather risks, telling people to be careful and avoid unnecessary _____.
The Lecco area, north of Milan, is also expecting strong _____ today.
Lombardy, the region that includes Milan, has an orange alert, while neighboring _____ has been given a yellow alert.
Forecasters have predicted _____ and strong _____ across both regions, which can cause flooding and damage.
Officials are advising people to stay indoors and avoid _____ during the storms.
Discussion questions
- Have you ever experienced a severe storm or hailstorm? What was it like?
- Why do you think authorities close public parks during storm warnings?
- What is the difference between an orange alert and a yellow alert, based on the article?
- What precautions do you think people should take during severe weather warnings?