The first weather forecasts for the Christmas period suggest picturesque scenarios for the holidays, with the possibility of snow and frost particularly affecting the regions of the Adriatic side.
This hypothesis is based on a possible consolidation of a strong anticyclone in the Scandinavian areaa configuration known as SCAND+which generally determines unstable and colder conditions in Italy.
This type of baric structure favors the influx of icy air from Eastern Europe, which slides along the southern edge of the anticyclone feeding easterly currents in the lower layers.
Under these conditions, low-altitude snowfalls become more likely along the Adriatic side and in the internal Apennine areas.
Another element of interest is the possible combination of the cold eastern flow and the entry of Atlantic fronts from southern latitudesa dynamic that could amplify the unstable effects.
This scenario brings to mind historical events like Christmas 1986remembered for being one of the last characterized by particularly cold and snowy conditions in Italy.
On that occasion, the Azores Anticyclone pushed northallowing a significant descent of Arctic air over the central Mediterranean.
The baric situation that developed was accompanied by intense northeast winds at ground level, with isotherms of 14°F (-10°C) affecting much of the Peninsula.
Temperatures plummeted below freezing in many regions, causing abundant snowfalls in various Italian locations.
A significant example of that episode was the city of Pescarawhere on Christmas Eve the temperature dropped to 26.6°F (-3°C), initiating snowfalls that continued throughout the night. On Christmas Day, about 8 inches (20 cm) of snow accumulatedtransforming the landscape into a Christmas postcard image. After 38 yearsmany look at these projections with a certain nostalgia, hoping for a repeat of a “White Christmas” like that of 1986.
Although long-term forecasts are always subject to margins of uncertainty, the current atmospheric configuration leaves open the possibility of a return to classic winter scenarios, giving the country the enchantment and magic of a snowy Christmas.
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