by InTrieste
On an unseasonably warm November day, visitors gather along Trieste’s Barcola beach in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Temperatures hovering around 20 degrees Celsius (68°F) have drawn tourists back to the shoreline in a rare November heatwave—an occurrence that locals and scientists alike say is one of many signs that climate change is reshaping the region’s environment.
This unexpected “November summer” has been fueled by a high-pressure system, or anticyclone, currently settled over Italy and much of southern Europe. The anomaly comes as a reminder of the region’s shifting climate, as recorded in the 2024 State of the Environment Report, published by Friuli Venezia Giulia’s Regional Environmental Protection Agency (Arpa). The report, marking Arpa’s 25th year of climate monitoring, provides extensive data on environmental changes in the area and is both an urgent call to action and a reflection on the evolving local climate.
Arpa’s data indicate that Friuli Venezia Giulia is experiencing many of the same trends observed worldwide: rising temperatures, seasonal shifts in precipitation, and a noticeable increase in Mediterranean weather patterns. According to Arturo Puccillo, a regional forecaster, June has historically been the second rainiest month of the year. But over the past fifteen years, it has gradually become part of the summer season. This shift has led to less rainfall in summer and more in autumn, an effect increasingly evident across the region.
Rising Temperatures and Extreme Weather
Over the period from 1991 to 2020, average temperatures in the city of Udine increased by 0.7 degrees Celsius compared to the previous three decades, a rise attributed to both local and global climate patterns. And while some extreme weather events—like hail storms with larger hailstones—are on the rise, data do not yet conclusively show that these events have become more frequent in Friuli Venezia Giulia.
But perhaps the most striking finding is the rise in both temperature and salinity in the Adriatic Sea, especially within the Gulf of Trieste. While many Italians have embraced the mild weather for weekend beach trips, experts warn that the trend points to troubling long-term effects on marine ecosystems. The increase in sea temperature and salinity not only affects marine biodiversity but may also disrupt local fishing industries, which are vital to the region’s economy.
A More Mediterranean Climate, Cleaner Air, and Water Resources Under Pressure
Friuli Venezia Giulia’s climate is now more distinctly Mediterranean, marked by hotter, drier summers and wetter autumns. While this shift benefits the tourism industry, it raises concerns for agriculture, water resources, and public health. Alongside this, air quality improvements in the region have slowed, indicating that while efforts have led to cleaner air, progress is tapering off.
The state of the region’s water resources adds another dimension to this climate story. Rivers and lakes remain in relatively good health, yet they are under increasing strain from agricultural water withdrawals. And while coastal waters around Friuli Venezia Giulia are generally clean, pollution challenges persist in the region’s lagoons and river mouths, where environmental pressures are compounded by human activities.
Despite the region’s natural beauty and its appeal as a tourist destination, land consumption remains another unresolved issue. With a high rate of land use for development and agriculture, Friuli Venezia Giulia risks compromising its natural landscape, which is both a key environmental asset and an economic resource for the local population.
Looking Ahead
As Friuli Venezia Giulia experiences this unexpected burst of warmth in November, it raises questions about the broader implications of climate change. For some, the sun-drenched holiday season may be a welcome novelty. Yet for the region’s scientists, environmentalists, and policymakers, it’s a reminder of the urgent need to address climate change on both a local and global scale.
The next steps are likely to focus on implementing policies that can protect and restore natural resources, curb pollution, and ensure sustainable development—all while balancing the needs of a growing tourism industry that thrives on the region’s Mediterranean allure.
