The alert comes into effect Thursday afternoon.

"The weakening of the present high-pressure system over Italy will lead to rainstorms in the northern regions and more specifically in the alpine areas and the alpine forelands", the civil protection authority said in a statement.

"Rainstorms, locally intense, are expected in the latter half of the day Thursday and throughout the following 24 hours, possibly extending into the Po plain", the same source said.

People were reminded to take sensible precautions from gusts of wind and lightning and the civil protection authority advised holidaymakers not to use their cars unless absolutely necessary, venture next to rivers or stay close to trees.

TERRA.WIRE