Well over four million Italians are expected to travel during the upcoming long Immaculate Conception weekend but they will have to bring their umbrellas and warm clothing.
The bad weather already moved in over the north on Thursday, which is a holiday in Milan for its patron saint, but this has brought some much needed snow to the barren Alpine ski slopes.
Dropping temperatures, clouds, rain and snow in the mountains are forecast for the Immaculate Conception and will continue through Saturday as the storm front moves its way down the peninsula.
Conditions should improve somewhat in the north on Sunday but showers will still be in store for central western areas and the south.
According to the national hotel operators association Federalberghi, 88% of the 4.5 million Italians leaving their homes for the long weekend will stay in Italy.
Rome is the city which is expected to see the greatest exodus of residents followed respectively by Milan, Turin, Genoa and Bologna.
Federalberti also calculated that the long weekend will generate some one billion euros in turnover for Italian businesses.
