ROME -- Italy will be hit with a winter forecast following Palm Sunday, bringing snow and cold temperatures to the peninsula after a mild winter, said Andrea Garbiato, editorial manager of Il Meteo. Temperatures are expected to stay low until April 4, remaining below average until Easter Sunday.

 Beginning on Friday, northern Italy may see the tail end of a winter cyclone from Wales to Denmark, bringing in showers and intense winds before the Palm Sunday backlash begins. 

 Then, on Sunday, cold air will descend from Scandanavia towards Italy, bringing rain to the central regions and eventually hitting certain regions of the south by the second half of the day. 

 Monday should be the worst of the winter spell. The high pressure differences between the north and south will cause high winds over most of the country. Snow is also expected in central regions. 

 Finally, on Tuesday, temperatures could drop below zero and will remain fairly cool throughout the rest of Holy Week. 

 jd