Naples, Campania, Italy – Naples is grappling with the escalating effects of global warming, with projections indicating nearly 100 tropical nights annually by 2026. This alarming forecast comes from the Climate Index 2026, a collaborative project by Corriere della Sera and iLMeteo.it, which analyzed climate data across 107 Italian provincial capitals.
Campania Cities Among the Worst Affected
The report places Campania’s cities in the lower half of the national ranking for climate comfort. Naples, though the highest-ranked in the region, sits at 44th place nationally, followed by Salerno at 79th, Avellino at 90th, Caserta at 93rd, and Benevento at 103rd.
Tropicalization of Southern Italy
Mattia Gussoni, a meteorologist from iLMeteo.it, explains, “Campania, and Italy in general, are undergoing tropicalization. This phenomenon particularly affects cities along the Tyrrhenian coast, such as Naples.” Data highlights a consistent trend of increasing tropical nights-defined as nights with a minimum temperature of 20 degrees Celsius or higher-especially in Naples.
- Naples: 11th highest for tropical nights in 2025, with 95 nights (national average: 52).
- Salerno: 18th highest, with 82 tropical nights.
- Caserta: 21st highest, with 79 tropical nights.
“This climatic trend, ongoing for several years, shows a general increase in average temperatures across all months of the year. The rise in tropical nights, which persist through much of the summer, denies residents and the land any respite. While hot nights occurred in the past, they were typically limited to the peak of summer. Now, summer appears to be extending, encroaching on autumn and sometimes lasting into September and even October,” Gussoni added.
Heatwaves and Perceived Temperatures Soar
The Climate Index 2026 also reveals a concerning increase in heatwaves-events with at least four consecutive days of above-average temperatures. Salerno ranks first nationally for heatwaves. Furthermore, the index measuring days with perceived temperatures of 32 degrees Celsius or higher shows all Campania cities exceeding the national average of 41 days:
- Salerno and Benevento: 67 days
- Caserta: 59 days
- Avellino: 46 days
- Naples: 45 days
“The 67 days with perceived temperatures above 32 degrees in Benevento are particularly indicative, meaning residents experience significant thermal discomfort for over two months a year. Moreover, the city is now experiencing its first tropical nights, a phenomenon previously rare due to its inland location. African heat, with temperatures of 34 degrees Celsius or higher, was recorded for 31 days in Benevento, Avellino, and Caserta,” Gussoni noted.
The Role of Green Areas in Mitigation
Despite years of warnings, efforts to reduce emissions and increase green spaces often fall short. Gussoni emphasizes two primary strategies for combating climate change: mitigation and adaptation.
“Mitigation, aimed at reducing CO2 emissions, is currently failing dramatically. This leaves us with adaptation, which involves implementing more green areas in our urban environments. We must do more in this regard. The advice? Rediscover what lies beyond our cities-nature-which can help us live better,” he concluded.
The ongoing climate crisis necessitates urgent action to protect the well-being of Campania’s residents and preserve the region’s natural environment.
Source: https://napoli.corriere.it/notizie/cronaca/26_giugno_23/campania-indice-climatico-2026-napoli-peggio-di-tutte-con-quasi-100-notte-tropicali-sconta-l-effetto-serra-933d73fe-5d45-4632-b402-47ca15452xlk.shtml
