Trends of minimum and maximum daily temperatures in Italy from 1865 to 1996

Annual and seasonal changes in maximum and minimum temperatures (Tmax and T min) and in daily temperature range (DTR) in Italy are investigated. Monthl y average series for northern and southern Italy are analysed for evidence of trend. Tmax and Tmin show a positive trend over the period 1865-1996 whi ch is greater in southern Italy than in northern Italy. DTR shows a positiv e trend, but greater in the North than in the South. There is a positive co rrelation between DTR and mean monthly temperature especially in spring and in summer, while there is a high significant negative correlation between DTR and monthly precipitation. Analysis of temperature, precipitation and DTR during the period 1865-1996 suggests that a general relationship between the very warm last 15-20 years and an increase in the frequency of sub-tropical anticyclones over the Cen tral-Western Mediterranean. This relationship is based on the hypothesis th at in Italy more frequent sub-tropical anticyclones could have been the mos t characteristic feature of the warm periods during the last 130 years.