Temperature Data & Trends

Meso and Micro-Scale Climate Controls
There are quite a bit of natural and man-made climate controls that affect the area of Ticino. Perhaps the most obvious is the proximity of the Swiss Alps, which affect precipitation, as well as the proximity of Lake Maggiore and the Ligurian Sea, which have an affect on moisture. The weather station is also near rivers and streams and is in a semi-urban environment in which the data can be affected. It is also located in a depression of a mountain, where there is colder winds/air affecting data as well.
Further information about location via http://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=zmw:00000.6.06762&bannertypeclick=wu_blueglass


Historical Temperature Data

Data provided by http://www.tutiempo.net/en/Climate/LOCARNO-MAGADINO/67620.htm

The chart above describes the trends in temperature (in degrees Celsius) in Locarno, Ticino over the last 5 decades or so. The average maximum temperatures went from a high of 16.3 degrees Celsius in 1955, to a high of 18.2 degrees Celsius. While that is only a couple degrees in temperature change, it can truly affect habitation in the area. The trend-line shows that there is a slight increase in average temperature, providing room for speculation upon climate change in general.


Ticino Climograph

Koppen-Geiger Climate Classification

Image/Data via http://koeppen-geiger.vu-wien.ac.at/pics/kottek_et_al_2006.gif

This map describes the area of Ticino as having a few different varieties of climate, according to the Koppen-Geiger classification. It is a little difficult to read, and I enlarged it as much as possible, but a world map is the only valid data I could find. It appears as though Ticino is classified as a mix of warm temperate climate, fully humid, with warm summers. In other areas nearby, it is classified as snow climate, fully humid, with warm summers.  The variability in classification is probably the result of the Swiss Alps, and how they play a role in precipitation and snowy weather patterns.

Switzerland's First Weather Station 1882

Image source via http://genevalunch.com/blog/category/travel/page/2/

This is a photo of Switzerland's very first weather station which was put into place in 1882 on the top of Mt. Santis.