Climate change is now an increasingly evident reality, with impacts that are progressively affecting our daily lives across sectors and ecosystems. Understanding its dynamics and tracking its evolution over time is essential for developing more informed, effective, and forward-looking mitigation and adaptation strategies—capable of addressing both present and future challenges.
In this context, data plays a crucial role. It serves as an indispensable tool for navigating the complexity of the climate system and for translating knowledge into concrete action. It is precisely with this objective that the E3CI Index was developed: a tool designed to analyze, quantify, and monitor extreme weather events across Europe, providing tangible support for decision-making processes and fostering greater awareness.
Winter 2025–2026: Climate Conditions in Europe
Monthly analyses of extreme events and climate dynamics make it possible to identify emerging trends and interpret ongoing changes with greater accuracy. Building on E3CI data, this overview adopts a broader perspective, focusing on the evolution of an entire season.
Between December 2025 and February 2026, several key findings emerged, also reflected in the Copernicus ECMWF bulletin:
- The past winter (December 2025–February 2026) ranked as the fifth warmest ever recorded globally.
In Europe, however, it was one of the two coldest winters of the past 13 years, with temperatures at +0.09°C above the 1991–2020 average. - During the winter months, Europe experienced wetter-than-average conditions across much of Western and Southern Europe, while drier-than-average conditions were observed in Iceland, Scotland, Central Europe, Fennoscandia, and the Baltic states. Western Europe in particular recorded prolonged precipitation in January and February.
Thanks to the monthly data collected through the E3CI Index, it is possible to examine climate conditions in greater detail at European, national (Italy), and regional (Emilia-Romagna) levels. This enables a clearer and more targeted interpretation of the most relevant events and dynamics:
December 2025
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In Europe, 22 countries recorded above-average values for extreme maximum temperatures (Belgium reaching 3.3), 2 countries reported extreme precipitation (including Poland at 3.2), and 3 countries showed slightly above-threshold values for extreme winds (ranging from 1.3 to 3). - In Italy, northern regions—such as Friuli Venezia Giulia (9.1)—experienced particularly high values for extreme maximum temperatures.
- In Emilia-Romagna, three major provinces recorded above-average extreme precipitation (including Piacenza at 2.2).
In Europe, 22 countries recorded above-average values for extreme maximum temperatures (Belgium reaching 3.3), 2 countries reported extreme precipitation (including Poland at 3.2), and 3 countries showed slightly above-threshold values for extreme winds (ranging from 1.3 to 3).January 2026
- In Europe, 11 countries experienced above-average drought conditions (Latvia at 2.1), 8 countries recorded extreme precipitation, with notably high values in Albania (4.9), Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.7), and Montenegro (4.5). 6 countries showed extreme wind anomalies, including peaks of 9.4 in Portugal.
- In Italy, 6 regions recorded above-average extreme precipitation (including Lazio at 2.7 and Umbria at 2.6).
Sicily reported moderately above-average extreme wind values (1.5).
In Europe, 11 countries experienced above-average drought conditions (Latvia at 2.1), 8 countries recorded extreme precipitation, with notably high values in Albania (4.9), Bosnia and Herzegovina (4.7), and Montenegro (4.5). 6 countries showed extreme wind anomalies, including peaks of 9.4 in Portugal.February 2026
- In Europe, 17 countries recorded above-average extreme maximum temperatures (Malta reaching 6.1), 5 countries showed moderate drought anomalies (between 1.6 and 1.9), and 11 countries experienced extreme precipitation (including Portugal at 4).
- In Italy, 12 regions recorded anomalies in extreme maximum temperatures (including Sicily at 4.4), while no anomalies were observed for extreme minimum temperatures. 3 regions reported above-average extreme wind values (Sardinia at 3, Calabria at 2, and Sicily at 1.8).
In Europe, 17 countries recorded above-average extreme maximum temperatures (Malta reaching 6.1), 5 countries showed moderate drought anomalies (between 1.6 and 1.9), and 11 countries experienced extreme precipitation (including Portugal at 4).To explore recent climate conditions in greater depth and access further insights, visit our data station.