From 4 to 6 November 2026, Bologna will host Visualising Climate, the international conference dedicated to the role of data visualisation in understanding and communicating climate change and environmental science. At a time when extreme weather events are becoming increasingly frequent, severe and consequential for communities, having access to reliable data is not enough. It is equally important to know how to read and interpret these data and transform them into visual representations that make complex phenomena easier to understand, highlight long-term trends and support more informed decision-making.
Climate data visualisation plays a crucial role in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge, public awareness and the ability to take action. We are therefore delighted to announce that the European Extreme Events Climate Index – E3CI has been selected to deliver a workshop at Visualising Climate 2026: “The E3CI Data Station: Visualising Extreme Weather for Decision-Makers and Communities.” The workshop will provide an opportunity to introduce the E3CI Index and its Data Station, demonstrating how climate data can be explored, interpreted and transformed into visualisations that communicate how extreme weather events are evolving across Europe.
The E3CI workshop: from climate data to new forms of storytelling
Heatwaves and cold spells, droughts, heavy precipitation, wind, hail and wildfires are complex phenomena. Understanding them requires reliable data and tools that can make this information accessible, including to people without specialist technical expertise. The E3CI Index combines seven components representing the main climate hazards into standardised monthly indicators, calculated using Copernicus ERA5 reanalysis data and measured against the 1981–2010 climate reference period. Through the Data Station, these data can be explored at national, regional and provincial level, allowing users to examine historical time series, compare different periods and identify trends and anomalies associated with extreme weather events.
During the workshop, participants will be guided through the interpretation of selected extreme events and the analysis of how they have evolved over time. Through a series of guided exercises, they will work with selected climate datasets, exploring historical time series, relationships between indicators and different approaches to graphical representation.
The aim will be not only to understand what the data reveal, but also to consider how visual and narrative choices can shape the perception and interpretation of climate phenomena.
What participants will take away
By taking part in the workshop, participants will be able to:
- develop a structured approach to working with extreme weather data
- formulate research questions
- transform analytical findings into clear, evidence-based narratives.
Participants will learn how to navigate the different components of the E3CI Index, interpret historical time series and climate trends, compare locations, periods and indicators, and identify the most significant information within a dataset. Particular attention will also be given to the transition from analysis to communication. Starting from the data, participants will experiment with different ways of creating charts and visual representations, assessing which solutions are most effective for highlighting an anomaly, a change over time or a relationship between different extreme weather phenomena.
The workshop will therefore provide skills and tools that can be used not only to visualise data, but also to develop articles, in-depth analyses, dashboards and informative content for different audiences. The session will conclude with a group discussion of the findings and the most effective strategies for turning complex data into information that is clear and useful for decision-makers, communities and citizens. Further details about the workshop format, case studies and planned activities will be shared in the coming weeks.
Visualising Climate: an opportunity for growth and exchange
Being selected to participate in Visualising Climate is an important recognition of the E3CI project and of the work carried out to develop tools that make climate data more accessible, understandable and useful. Taking part in an international event dedicated to climate data visualisation will allow the Index to engage with a multidisciplinary community of data experts, researchers, designers, communicators and professionals working to improve the understanding and representation of climate change.
The workshop will also provide an opportunity to gather new perspectives on the use of the Data Station, test different approaches to visualising extreme events and better understand how the Index’s data can meet the needs of different audiences, from decision-makers to local communities. This exchange will help strengthen E3CI’s mission: to transform complex climate data into clear and actionable information, fostering greater awareness of extreme events and how they are changing over time.
Register
Register for the event to take part in the E3CI workshop and discover how to explore, visualise and communicate data on extreme weather events.