Rome and Milan, Italy’s largest and most populated cities, experienced their warmest weather in more than 50 years in 2022, according to data released by the statistics agency ISTAT on Tuesday. The findings contribute to mounting evidence of climate change impacting regions across the globe.
ISTAT reported that the average temperature in Italian regional capitals reached 16.6 degrees Celsius in 2022, which is 1.7 degrees higher than the “climate normal” based on data collected from 1981 to 2010. Since 1997, temperatures have consistently exceeded this benchmark every year except for 2005 and 2010, with 2022 marking the highest value recorded.
Rome and Milan bore the brunt of these rising temperatures, with anomalies of 2.7 degrees and 2.5 degrees Celsius higher than average, respectively. These significant increases highlight the intensified effects of global warming on urban centers.
ISTAT noted that the processing of 2022’s data took time, resulting in the delayed release. The agency also indicated that these figures are likely cooler than those expected for this year. Last month, the European Union’s climate change monitoring service reported that this year’s summer was the warmest in the northern hemisphere since records began.
In addition to soaring temperatures, Italy faced significant drought conditions. 2022 was the second driest year for regional capitals since 1971, with average rainfall measuring only 576 millimeters. Over the period, only 2007 had less rain. Droughts linked to climate change are increasingly severe, particularly in the south, with regions like Sicily battling severe water shortages.
Italy’s challenges reflect a broader trend of extreme weather events exacerbated by climate change. Europe’s highest temperature to date—48.8 degrees Celsius—was recorded in Sicily in 2021. These phenomena underscore the urgent need for global initiatives to address climate change and mitigate its impacts.
(Cover photo: A woman fills her bottle with water at the lions fountain at Piazza del Popolo, Rome, Italy, July 12, 2024. /CFP)
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Rome, Milan bear brunt as Italy's cities swelter, data shows
cgtn.com
