Italy’s brutal cold snap ends 2025 with record-freezing temperatures after a scorching year
A bitter cold snap is sweeping across Italy as 2025 draws to a close, bringing freezing temperatures and wintry conditions. The polar air mass follows a year marked by record-breaking global heat, with 2025 ranking among the hottest on record at 1.4°C above pre-industrial levels.
The contrast is stark as Calabria braces for sub-zero temperatures, with mountain regions facing particularly harsh clima. Meteorologists warn that Calabria’s Sila and Pollino mountain ranges will see temperatures plummet to between -10°C and -12°C. Mario Rossi, a forecaster for Lacnews24, highlighted the severity of the cold wave, which will persist into early January.
On New Year’s Day, cloud cover will spread from western Italy, bringing light, scattered rain to Liguria, Tuscany, Lazio, and Campania. The Apennines may see snowfall above 1,000–1,400 metres, while most of Calabria remains dry with clear skies. Only Reggio Calabria and Vibo Valentia could experience isolated showers.
By midnight, cities across Italy will shiver under freezing conditions. Potenza will drop to -5°C, while Bolzano, Trento, Campobasso, and L’Aquila will hover around -4°C. Aosta will reach -3°C, and Perugia -2°C. Meanwhile, Cagliari and Palermo will stay milder at 10°C, though under cloudy skies.
The first weekend of January will bring a slight temperature rise, but unsettled weather will linger in central and southern regions. Snow is also expected in the mountains around Epiphany, reaching mid-to-low elevations.
Despite the cold, July 2025 saw below-average temperature in Italy compared to the past three decades—a rare dip in an otherwise warming trend.
The cold spell will ease slightly after New Year’s, but freezing nights and mountain snow will persist. While cities like Rome and Naples record lows of 1°C, the sharp drop in temperatures marks a dramatic shift from 2025’s record heat. Authorities advise caution, particularly in high-altitude areas where conditions remain treacherous.
