INSANE FLOODING SEEN OVER IN LA SPEZIA, ITALY! (credit: Manuela Trucchi)

DISCUSSION: As intense thunderstorms developed over the Northern Ligurian Sea earlier today, heavy rainfall began to move inland as the associated convective storms moved eastward and headed inland over Northwestern Italy.  As a result of very persistent thunderstorm activity pumping in off of the Northern Ligurian Sea, there was a large threat for widespread flooding and flash flooding.  Ultimately, the threat for highly-impactful flooding was verified as a result of heavy, persistent rainfall moving through the region this afternoon and evening (local time).  Note how many of the roadways in the photographs included below clearly indicate the results of massive flooding across this part of Northwestern Italy!  To learn more about other high-impact weather from across Europe, be sure to click here!