A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF TORNADOES IN ITALY

The frequency and severity of tornadoes and waterspouts in and around Italy have generally passed unnoticed. The compendious Wind- und Wasse rhosen in Europa Wegener, 1917, Vieweg & Sohn recalled many of the old er events, but (perhaps due to wartime limitations) underrated Italy o verall. This survey first summarizes the teachings of the classical au thors and a few of the local legends. It then describes some of the ev idence of tornadic activity during the subsequent centuries. This is f ollowed by examples from the recent past of severe tornadoes which hav e struck Italy. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.