Weather conditions erratic as heat starts to drop in Italy

Changes in Italy's relentless heat wave created an unpleasant counter effect over the weekend as clashing weather systems caused high winds and tornados near Rome and the northern Piedmont town of Verbania. On Sunday, a tornado upturned boats in the costal town of Fiumicino 20 kilometers from the capital damaging vessels in the Rizzardi shipyard, but causing no injuries. Boats in the nearby Ostia harbor were also damaged after being whipped by violent winds. Two tourists visiting the historic gardens of Villa Taranto in Verbania were injured when a funnel cloud briefly touched down on the property. On Sunday, a driver in the northern city of Padua was killed when an tree uprooted by high winds fell on his car. Temperatures throughout the Italian peninsula have started their descent and are expected to drop 10-15 degrees by Monday evening, the national weather service said.