On this occasion, we wish to share one of the most iconic videos from the “Che Tempo fa” column, which marked an era in the history of television meteorology.
The video, dating back to the last day of the year 1984 and broadcast on Rai Uno, was hosted by General Andrea Baroni.
Baroni, who passed away nine years ago at the age of 97, was one of the most beloved faces and a constant presence for over two decades in the weather forecasts of the Public Service.
In the footage, Baroni (colonel), with his usual mastery, announced an imminent wave of cold and snow, which would be amplified by polar stratospheric warming and would hit Italy in the early days of January 1985.
This meteorological event then became historic, considered one of the most intense cold episodes of the last century.
The peculiarity of this cold wave is that it arrived after an unusually warm December, demonstrating how extreme weather phenomena can occur even after periods of calm or mild climate.
Today, revisiting that video strikes for the simplicity and attention to detail that characterized Baroni’s style.
The General had become a daily reference point for millions of Italians, continuing the tradition of television meteorology that had among its pioneers figures like Edmondo Bernacca.
The cold wave that struck Europe and Italy in January 1985 represents one of the most intense and memorable meteorological events of the last century.
This extreme climatic phenomenon was characterized by extremely low temperatures and abundant snowfalls, which had a significant impact on vast territories.
The cold wave began in early January 1985, after a December that had been surprisingly warm.
This abrupt change in weather conditions was surprising to many, given the relative mildness of the preceding period.
The cold extended over much of Europe, bringing glacial temperatures, heavy snowfalls, and freezing conditions.
In Italy, the event was particularly intense, with many regions recording heavy snowfalls and exceptionally low temperatures.
Some areas experienced weather conditions not seen for decades, with significant snowfalls even in coastal regions and islands, generally milder areas.
The cold wave of January 1985 has remained in collective memory both for its intensity and its duration, marking that period as one of the coldest of the century in Europe and Italy.
And for those who did not experience it, we think of it every year to recall it.
In a world increasingly hit by unexpected and severe meteorological events, our ability to predict the weather is put to the test.
Recently, Eastern Europe suffered the worst winter storm in the last fifty years, despite the presence of a High Pressure that, paradoxically, increased the storm’s intensity.
These phenomena, such as heatwaves, droughts, torrential rains, and snowstorms, are becoming more frequent and intense.
This winter, for example, we have witnessed unusually high temperatures in the northern hemisphere, including regions like Siberia, usually known for their harsh climate.
It is interesting to note that, while once Siberian cold waves were an annual event in Italy, today they require almost extreme atmospheric conditions to manifest.
This underscores a change in the climatic pattern, where events once predictable now surprise with their rarity or intensity.
The advent of advanced technologies and supercomputers has not eliminated the uncertainty in weather forecasts.
Despite advances, events like the impressive snowfalls of 2012 in Italy remind us how unpredictable these phenomena can be.
This raises doubts about our ability to accurately predict extreme events like the cold waves of 1956 or the great snowfalls.
Past meteorological events, such as the heavy snowfall of 1986 in Rome, which left up to half a meter of snow in some areas, show how the climate can vary drastically.
However, despite observed trends, it is difficult to predict specific events, like a significant snowfall in an Italian city, with significant advance.
Even though long-term forecasts can offer a general overview, it is important to focus on short-term forecasts, especially in extreme weather conditions.
This approach allows us to be better prepared to face the unpredictability of the climate, which can lead to situations of extreme heat or cold, often unexpectedly.
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