climatic variation in Italy

*Actual data about* *climatic variation in* *Italy*
*Summer- last twenty years (1980-2000)* *Temperature* The average max. summer temperature has increased to about 1°C compared with the period 1950-1980. *Some statistics* In the last twenty years, six very hot summers: ’ 83, ’88, ’94,’95, ’98, 2003, with an increase of 50%compared to the previous 30 years. *Rain* Decrease of rainy episodes but, strangely enough, heavier rain than in the past; from 1980 up to now the number of downpours has increased of about 25%.
Winter-last twenty years (1980-2002) Temperature Since 1980 the average temperature in winter in Italy has generally increased compared with the previous 20 years. Most of this increase has occurred in the last 10 years, that is, since1980, when the highest average winter temperature in the last 50 years has been registered all over the peninsula. The increase to over 1°C has occurred in northern regions, while in central regions it has been less considerable and in southern regions it has been modest except in Campania; the phenomenon occurred in January and February the coldest months of the year. Rain On a national scale, in the last 20 years, the average amount of rain in winter months has decreased of 25% compared to the previous 20 years, with a more evident decrease in the north of Italy (-32%) and more modest in the centre/ south (-18%) . The decrease has been more evident in the last twenty years, with a decrease in rains of 18% compared to the previous 10 years. *Some statistics* 18 winter seasons ,in the last 20 years with annual rainfall lower than the average rainfall of the previous 30 years. Of the 8 episodes of heavy drought occurred in Italy in the last 50 years ( winters ’63-’64, ’74-75, ’88-’89 ’89-’90, ’91-’92, ’98-’99, ’99-2000, 2001-2002) six have occurred in the last 20 years. Snow Due to the considerable decrease in winter precipitation, there has been a more and more frequent shortage of snow in the Alps in the last 10 years( decrease in the snowfalls periods in our mountains, increased the limit of snow) which together with the increase in the temperature, has contributed to accelerate the withdrawal and loss of volume of Alpine glaciers. Fog Considerable decrease ( from30% to 50%) everywhere, but particularly in the padano-veneto plain mainly due to the increase in the average winter temperature and in the increase in Fohn episodes.

Actual data about climatic variation in Italy

Summer- last twenty years (1980-2000)

Temperature

The average max. summer temperature has increased to about 1°C compared with the period 1950-1980.

Some statistics

In the last twenty years, six very hot summers: ’ 83, ’88, ’94,’95, ’98, 2003, with an increase of 50%compared to the previous 30 years.

Rain

Decrease of rainy episodes but, strangely enough, heavier rain than in the past; from 1980 up to now the number of downpours has increased of about 25%.

Winter-last twenty years (1980-2002)

Temperature

Since 1980 the average temperature in winter in Italy has generally increased compared with the previous 20 years. Most of this increase has occurred in the last 10 years, that is, since1980, when the highest average winter temperature in the last 50 years has been registered all over the peninsula. The increase to over 1°C has occurred in northern regions, while in central regions it has been less considerable and in southern regions it has been modest except in Campania; the phenomenon occurred in January and February the coldest months of the year.

Rain

On a national scale, in the last 20 years, the average amount of rain in winter months has decreased of 25% compared to the previous 20 years, with a more evident decrease in the north of Italy (-32%) and more modest in the centre/ south (-18%) . The decrease has been more evident in the last twenty years, with a decrease in rains of 18% compared to the previous 10 years.

Some statistics

18 winter seasons ,in the last 20 years with annual rainfall lower than the average rainfall of the previous 30 years.
Of the 8 episodes of heavy drought occurred in Italy in the last 50 years ( winters ’63-’64, ’74-75, ’88-’89 ’89-’90, ’91-’92, ’98-’99, ’99-2000, 2001-2002) six have occurred in the last 20 years.

Snow

Due to the considerable decrease in winter precipitation, there has been a more and more frequent shortage of snow in the Alps in the last 10 years( decrease in the snowfalls periods in our mountains, increased the limit of snow) which together with the increase in the temperature, has contributed to accelerate the withdrawal and loss of volume of Alpine glaciers.

Fog

Considerable decrease ( from30% to 50%) everywhere, but particularly in the padano-veneto plain mainly due to the increase in the average winter temperature and in the increase in Fohn episodes.