Warm "Ottobrata" Weather to Arrive in Italy Next Week

Italy is experiencing the last rains of the season in the Centre and South this weekend, according to weather forecasts.

However, the weather is about to change significantly. Next week, a large anticyclone, an area of high air pressure, will move across the country.

This will bring clear skies and a noticeable rise in temperatures, in a weather pattern Italians call "ottobrata."

The term comes from "ottobre," the Italian word for October, and refers to a spell of warm, sunny weather that sometimes returns in autumn.

Before the warmer weather arrives, rain will continue to fall across southern Italy on Sunday.

Meteorologists say the shift will bring an end to the recent wet conditions, replacing them with sunshine and milder air.

The ottobrata is expected to affect several parts of the country, though some regions will feel the warmth more than others.

Such warm spells in October are not unusual in Italy, where Mediterranean climate patterns can bring sudden swings between rain and sunshine.

Forecasters note that this kind of weather often gives people one last chance to enjoy mild, summer-like conditions before the colder months set in.

While exact temperature figures have not been specified, forecasts suggest a clear improvement compared to the rainy weekend.

People are being advised to check updated forecasts as the new week begins, since conditions are expected to change quickly from rain to sunshine.