The return of normal summer: meteorologist Spensieri in Sant'Agata warns of the true signs of the climate crisis.

Heat waves , extreme rainfall, floods, and droughts are effects of climate change that people have been forced to contend with for several years. These and other issues were discussed in Sant'Agata di Puglia as part of the "Libri e Trasonne" literary festival. Gianfranco Spensieri, meteorologist for RAI Meteo, was the guest speaker. It's now undeniable that the climate crisis is impacting our lives, threatening the physical and mental well-being, health, and safety of all citizens. But there are still those who deny the climate crisis. Spensieri gave a meteorology lesson on these highly topical issues.

Carefree, an old-fashioned summer, like the one in the 80s and 90s?

"It's definitely been a different summer than in recent years, a season almost in line with the seasonal average temperatures. June ended on a positive note, while July was slightly warmer, but absolutely within normal climatic limits. These days, we're experiencing a period characterized by the Azores anticyclone, which has finally returned after the African one had dominated Italy for the past five years."

What kind of August awaits us in our southern regions?

The month began with temperatures below the seasonal average. In the next few days, we'll have a good heatwave, but we won't have extreme temperatures. So, it'll be bearable heat with low humidity. Then, in the third ten days of August, cooler air could arrive. This would mean that after so many years, August will return to seasonal temperatures.

September?

“It's still early days; if we were to follow the trend of recent years, we could have a purely summery first part, then a gradual decline in the summer period.”

Many people continue to say, "It's always been cold and hot." How do you respond to those who deny the climate crisis?

"With objective data, with numbers. Personal feelings don't exist in this area. What exists is science and surveys, and the latter tell us that average annual temperatures have increased significantly in a very short period of time. All of this is undeniable. Over the last 10-15 years, temperatures have risen particularly sharply in central and southern Italy."

Often when making predictions, alarmism is created. Why?

"Good question. Most of the responsibility lies with those who make the forecasts. Forecasts should report objective data, not subjective data, as often happens."

And the high-sounding names attributed to cyclones and anticyclones?

"In recent years, there has been an explosion of weather websites and, above all, unverified news. This is an industry that should be regulated immediately."

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