(METEOGIORNALE.IT) What is happening over our holidays is something anomalous and dangerous. But why do we use these adjectives? Usually, in the weather field when there is a phase of high pressure we talk about good weather. And how can you not agree, after all the days between 15 and 20 degrees are pleasant, with a nice warm sun. But in this article we will understand why this weather pattern is risky for our country.
The situation
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The heart of the Mediterranean is in fact located under an enormous anticyclonic dome, let’s call it a hot bubble capable of raising temperatures above seasonal averages. Not to mention that it prevents the arrival of any type of disturbance. So let’s forget about rain and especially snow for several days.
In the central and southern areas, citizens will be able to experience clear days, often clear skies and a very mild climate for the period. In this context, it is nice to take advantage of the mild climate in the afternoon hours to be outdoors and enjoy the sun. It’s certainly a beautiful picture. But it is not without risks. We’ll see them later.
Bad weather in the North
High pressure is not always synonymous with absolute good weather, especially in the coldest months of the year. In the lower layers of the atmosphere, in fact, stagnant conditions can form which favor the appearance of extensive and persistent fog.
It is a clear example of what happens in the Po Valley. And why are we talking about dangerous weather conditions? Visibility may be drastically reduced, making car travel very delicate and increasing the likelihood of accidents. So be careful to drive carefully.
Bad air
In addition to the fog, a further problematic element concerns the quality of the air. The absence of disturbances and strong winds prevents natural exchange and favors the accumulation of particulate matter and pollutants in the lower layers. In cities characterized by intense vehicular traffic (not only in Valpadana), this process can lead to a rapid deterioration in air quality with serious consequences for the health of the most vulnerable people.
Particular attention will be necessary in large centers such as Milan, Turin, Bologna, all the other locations in the Po Valley, Rome, Florence and Naples, areas that historically suffer most from the combined effect of thermal inversion, smog and stagnation of pollutants. But even elsewhere the situation will not be better, we are talking about the large cities of the South.
The unfortunate consequences
This is already not a pretty picture. But the situation is made worse by the total lack of snow in the Apennines and the very little snow in the Alps. A truly dramatic situation. This isn’t just an eyesore. It is a serious supply problem leading with the coming months.
It’s true that we have the whole winter and spring ahead of us where it can rain a lot. But it is also true that the snow cover is now often discontinuous and these long phases of high pressure weather are a further problem for water supplies in the months to come. Especially if they were to extend into the first months of 2026.
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Credit
ECMWF, NOAA NOAA, ICON, AROME, ARPEGE, Copernicus (METEOGIORNALE.IT)
