Home
Weather Dublin
WeatherRadar
RainfallRadar
TemperatureRadar
WindRadar
LightningRadar
Weather News
Editor's Pick
Discover the app
Weather widget
Contact us
Apps
    Home / Weather News /

    Flights grounded: Ash descends as Mt. Etna erupts

10:00
22 May 2023

Flights grounded
Ash descends as Mt. Etna erupts

Ash-covered streets after volcanic eruption
Ash-covered streets in Nicolosi, Sicily island seen on Sunday after Etna's latest eruption. - © picture alliance

Italy’s infamous Mt. Etna erupted on Sunday, coating nearby streets with ash and halting air traffic in the vicinity.

Etna, Europe’s most active volcano, erupted Sunday as rain continued to fall in flood-hit Italy. While no injuries are reported, copious amounts of ash have fallen in Catania.

Local news reports loud explosive sounds coming from the volcano, though the weather largely obscured views of any activity.

Catania Airport grounded all flights due to ash on the runway. Normal operation resumed from 09:00 am local time this morning with delays.

Standing at over 3,300 metres tall, Etna regularly erupts throughout the year, although its last major eruption occurred over a century ago in 1922.

It is constantly monitored, and an eruption was expected this weekend after a rise in tremors beneath the volcano was recorded over the past week.

The eruption comes as northern Italy continues to battle devastating floods, leaving more than 36,000 people to flee their homes.

Watch: On the scene in flooded Italyread more

At least 14 casualties are known, with the Emilia Romagna region worst-hit after seeing half of their average annual rainfall arrive in just 36 hours.

More rainfall is expected from midweek, with the mayor of Bologna saying that it will take years for the damages to be fully repaired.

Ryan Hathaway

More on the topic

Severe weather on the Adriatic coast. Rain, storms and snow. . . Thursday 12 November 2026
The weather warning map shows heavy rain from Thursday to Friday, stretching from northern Italy through Slovenia and Croatia to Montenegro. Particularly heavy rainfall is expected along the northern Adriatic coast.
Thursday 12 November 2026

Rain, storms and snow

Severe weather on the Adriatic coast
Further fog disruption expected. Growing dense overnight. . . Monday 9 November 2026
Weather map showing widespread fog across the English Midlands, with a red fog warning symbol near Nottingham and temperatures of 4–6°C.
Monday 9 November 2026

Growing dense overnight

Further fog disruption expected
Conditions combine to reduce air quality. Light winds and fireworks. . . Tuesday 10 November 2026
Split image showing a UK wind map with 25 mph near Cardiff and 19 mph near London, beside colourful fireworks above illuminated waterfront buildings.
Tuesday 10 November 2026

Light winds and fireworks

Conditions combine to reduce air quality
All weather news

This might also interest you

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow. Storm Chandra. . . Tuesday 27 January 2026
Split image showing aerial flooding in a town with muddy water covering roads on the left, and a rural road on the right blocked by heavy snowfall with vans stopped and a person walking in snow.
Tuesday 27 January 2026

Storm Chandra

Flooding, gales, and heavy snow
Bright and warm conditions take hold. Spring-like outlook. . . Thursday 23 April 2026
Split UK map showing warm temperatures up to 21 degrees in orange on the left and clear sunny conditions with temperatures from 12 to 18 degrees on the right, with sun icons across the country.
Thursday 23 April 2026

Spring-like outlook

Bright and warm conditions take hold
New records for England and Wales. Broken again tomorrow?. . . Thursday 25 June 2026
Temperature map of southwest Britain on 25.06 showing extreme heat across southern Wales and southwest England, with Bute Park in Cardiff highlighted at 34.2°C and Yeovilton at 36.4°C amid widespread deep red heat zones.
Thursday 25 June 2026

Broken again tomorrow?

New records for England and Wales
All articles
Weather & Radar

Weather & Radar is also available on

Google Play StoreApp Store

Company

Contact us Privacy Policy Legal info Accessibility statement

Services

Uploader

Socials

facebooktwitteryouTubelinkList