Orographic complexity and local microclimatic variations in the Dolomites (north-eastern Italy)
Authors: Fazzini Massimiliano , Georgiadis Teodoro , Cremonini Letizia , Tolin Flavio , Zamperin Stefano 
Published: March 2024

To ensure accurate monitoring in high mountainous areas of mid-latitudes, we must establish a ground network of the highest quality standards.This monitoring will help us observe local meteoclimatic features and understand the impact of climate change on glacial, periglacial and cold temperate morphoclimatic environments. the last two years have been some of the hottest in the alpine chain over the past 150 years. As a result, also the glaciers above 4000m altitude have been significantly impacted, along with the density and degradation of interstitial permafrost, ultimately affecting the stability of rocky slopes. Despite the logistical and environmental challenges, national and local meteorological services, universities, environmental research centres, and associations of enthusiasts continuously install meteoclimatological survey stations at high altitudes. These organizations adhere to strict installation regulations, as indicated by the WMO. It is important to note that remote sensing surveys, while useful, have limites in resolution and accuracy and therefore do not significantly improve local information. During the summer of 2023, historical records starting from 1973, for the thermal zero degrees altitude and the geopotential height relative to the 500 hPa pressure have been repeatedly retouched in the free atmosphere of the Dolomites. In particular, from the data analysis of&#160; soundings from the nearby Udine Rivolto meteorological station, on August 22nd at 14LT, we obtained respectively maximum values of 5197 m. and 5970 m. These measurements were taken during meteorological phases characterized by the presence of robust anticyclonic fields of subtropical continental matrix, which have a significant impact at mid-tropospheric elevation. The summer lasted longer than usual, with great weather conditions even in late autumn. On November 23rd at 1pm LT, the freezing point was approximately at 3306 m.&#160; with a geopotential at 500 hPa of 5740 m. Over the past two years, the Meteotriveneto association has made significant progress in their microclimatic monitoring on the Dolomites Alps high elevation by installing new sensors at the summit measuring stations of Capanna Punta Penia (Marmolada Peak) - 3343 m., Cima Tofana - 3215 m. and Sass Pordoi - 2950 m. Comparing these measurements with those of existing official stations, often located a few tens of meters away and at very similar altitudes, moderate or strong differences were highlighted from a thermal point of view. These deviations cannot be solely attributed to measurement errors, but in particular to the local morphology. Thanks to the new availability of data, even in high mountain remote areas, we can now define evolutionary morphoclimatic aspects with greater precision at microscale. This will provide us with new resources to improve the inputs for the various forecasting climate models at different spatial resolution , resulting in better future simulations in environments that are increasingly fragile and less resilient to the climate crisis.