Extreme Weather In Italy during the Winter of 2012 Christina Bittoni International Relations & Diplomacy, Italian College of Arts and Sciences

The Average Winter in Italy Cool and rainy Average high temperature = 13°C Average low temperature = 5°C January average low temperature = 2°C Moderate climate

So, why did Rome see snow for the first time in 26 years in the Winter of 2012?

Cold Front Low-pressure areas Accompanied by precipitation Move from 0-30 mph

Arctic Oscillation (AO)

Global Warming

Europe London: Fountain across from the House of Parliament

Berlin: Ice sheets float in the Spree river next to the Reichstag building

Kosovo, Serbia: Eastern Europe

Temps (°C) for one of the coldest mornings across Europe, Feb 4 Temperatures averaged 10-20°F below normal for almost two weeks across most of Europe

Places where snow fell across Europe, as of Feb 13

Weather/Climate Change Effects on Society “Grab a shovel and let’s liberate the city together,” Rome’s Mayor Gianni Alemanno said. Civil protection authorities distributed 2,000 shovels in piazzas in the city center to Romans willing to help with the cleanup.

Public Health Death toll Homeless people Heating in Italian homes Ambulances Transportation Car accidents TrainsFlights

Agriculture Italian villagers cannot reach their stables to feed livestock Commerce BusinessesTourism

Summary Cold front, AO, and global warming caused this extreme weather in Italy in Winter of Leaders, citizens, and first-responders alike all did not know what to do Affected Public Health, Transportation, Agriculture, and Commerce

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