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Seas Growing Warmer: Second-Highest Temperature Ever Recorded in 2025
Seas Growing Warmer: Second-Highest Temperature Ever Recorded in 2025
Jul 01, 2026

Above-Average Temperatures. Water Resources Remain Under Close Monitoring

Findings from the New SNPA Report The Climate in Italy in 2025

With an average annual sea surface temperature of 20°C and peaks exceeding 26°C in July (26.64°C) and August (26.48°C), 2025 recorded temperatures 1.18°C above the 1991–2020 climate reference period, making it the second warmest year since 1982 for Italian seas. At the same time, more frequent rainfall in northern Italy improved water availability, with precipitation 7% above average, while central Italy remained close to the long-term average and southern Italy experienced a 5% decrease in rainfall. These findings highlight the growing need to continue implementing both climate mitigation and adaptation measures.

These are among the key findings of the report The Climate in Italy in 2025, published by the National System for Environmental Protection (SNPA), which comprises ISPRA and the Regional and Provincial Environmental Protection Agencies (ARPA/APPA). The report provides a comprehensive assessment of the state of the climate and its evolution across Italy, offering analyses at the national, regional, and local levels. It also includes in-depth examinations of the most significant climate events that occurred during the year.

Since 2000, Italy has recorded above-average air temperatures in almost every year, and 2025 continues this trend, with an average temperature anomaly of +1.03°C relative to the 1991–2020 climatological baseline. All months except October and November were warmer than average. June, with a temperature anomaly of +3.23°C, was the second warmest June on record after 2003. All four seasons also recorded above-average temperatures. In particular, summer, with an anomaly of +1.46°C, ranked as the fourth warmest since 1961. Winter (+1.21°C) and spring (+0.86°C) were also among the warmest on record, while autumn showed a more moderate increase of +0.16°C.

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Topics in evidence

Earth Observation for Planning Urban Heat Island Mitigation Measures: Results from the MIRIFICUS Project
Earth Observation for Planning Urban Heat Island Mitigation Measures: Results from the MIRIFICUS Project
Jul 06, 2026 09:30 AM — Jul 06, 2026 01:00 PM Rome, ISPRA headquarter, via Vitaliano Brancati 48

Urban heat islands are characterized by higher temperatures in cities compared to the surrounding natural areas. This temperature increase results from several factors associated with urbanization, including reduced vegetation cover, heat-generating human activities, limited natural ventilation, the use of materials that absorb and retain thermal energy, and soil sealing. To mitigate these effects, public administrations can promote measures aimed at improving the urban microclimate, reducing surface temperatures, and enhancing urban resilience, such as urban reforestation and the redevelopment of paved surfaces.

This phenomenon is increasing as a result of climate change and urban and territorial transformations, which have led to greater land consumption and the loss of vegetation.

Thanks to data acquired from the main Earth Observation satellite systems—including the medium- and high-resolution Copernicus Sentinel, NASA Landsat, and ASI PRISMA missions—the MIRIFICUS project (Monitoring Reforestation Interventions for Urban Heat Islands through Satellites) provides urban, vegetation, and thermal indicators across the entire Italian territory, with a particular focus on urban agglomerations.

One of the project’s main outcomes is the development of a Geographic Information System (WebGIS) based on interactive maps, enabling different stakeholders—from citizens to territorial planners and managers—to access and consult relevant data and information. The system offers a particularly valuable tool for public decision-makers and local administrators.

Project activities included two case studies in the cities of Florence and Rome, where the effectiveness of two hypothetical urban reforestation interventions in mitigating the effects of intra-urban thermal anomalies was assessed through an ex-post comparison of the modeled interventions.

The event will present the results of thermal anomaly monitoring conducted during the summer months (June–August) over the period 2013–2023 in the regional capitals analyzed, and will illustrate how to access and consult the information system developed within the project.

The meeting, which will take place on 6 July at ISPRA headquarters, is intended for public administrators, researchers, and experts in environmental data governance and sharing. It is also open to citizens, associations, and anyone interested in urban sustainability issues.

The program includes a discussion session between speakers and participants, aimed at fostering the exchange of experiences and best practices to support initiatives designed to counter the urban heat island phenomenon.

The MIRIFICUS project is funded by the Italian Space Agency (ASI), with scientific support from the National Research Council of Italy (CNR) and the Italian Institute for Environmental Protection and Research (ISPRA)

Program

MIRIFICUS Project 

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CII500K – The New Hydrogeological Map of Italy’s Groundwater
CII500K – The New Hydrogeological Map of Italy’s Groundwater
Jul 10, 2026 09:00 AM — Jul 10, 2026 04:30 PM Roma, Auditorium MASE “Ilaria Alpi e Miran Hrovatin”, via Capitan Bavastro 182

The Blue Gold of Our Country

In Italy, we drink groundwater: more than 84% of the country’s civil water demand is supplied by spring water or water extracted from underground aquifers through wells.
A true “Blue Gold” resource that is renewed every year and must be understood, protected, and enhanced.

These needs are addressed by the new Hydrogeological Map of Italy at a scale of 1:500,000 (CII500K), which, after being presented to the scientific community, will be officially presented to the public on June 9 during an event at the Auditorium of the Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security.

The event will provide an opportunity to illustrate how the map was developed and to showcase the wealth of information it contains. The project was coordinated by ISPRA and the “Ardito Desio” Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Milan, in collaboration with ISTAT, CMCC (Euro-Mediterranean Center on Climate Change), and the seven District Basin Authorities, as well as with the participation of the wider groundwater expert community: Regions and Autonomous Provinces, ARPA/APPA environmental agencies, universities, research institutions, and professional associations. This initiative represents the first example of “participatory cartography” in Italy.

Program

Map of Italy at a scale of 1:500,000

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Reclamation and landfill materials
Reclamation and landfill materials
Jul 02, 2026 09:30 AM — Jul 02, 2026 05:00 PM Auditorium del CNR, Piazzale Aldo Moro n. 7, Roma

On July 2, an event organized by ISPRA entitled “SNPA Guidelines 46 and 46bis on Fill Materials: Regulatory, Operational, and Management Perspectives” will take place at the CNR Auditorium in Rome.

The conference is dedicated to the proper management of fill materials, a topic of growing importance in terms of environmental sustainability, land protection, and the proper planning of remediation and redevelopment activities.

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