Marina Baldi

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of Biomereorology - IBIMET, Scientist

Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Institute of Biometeorology, Faculty Member

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Marina Baldi, earned a degree in physics from the La Sapienza University of Rome, and specialized in atmospheric dynamics and climatology. Since 1988 she is scientist at the Institute of BioEconomy of the National Research Council (CNR-IBE), and responsible for the Rome office of CNR-IBE.
Since 2014 she coordinates the training activities of the WMO Regional Training Centre in Italy.
Member of professional associations (AMS, AGU, EGU, EMS), past President of the Italian Association of Geophysics, member of the ESSL Advisory Council, Member of the Accademia dei Georgofili, since 2005 she served as national delegate in the WMO-Commission of Climatology.
University lecturer of meteorology and climatology, reviewer for scientific journals and for IPCC reports, author of peer-reviewed scientific articles, presentations and invited lectures in conferences and workshops.
Main field of expertise is climate change, and climate variability and impacts in the Euro-Mediterranean region and Africa. More recently, she is working also in communication of science, and she always attentive to provide sound comments to the media in case of extreme climate events or when new concepts or results about climate change are publicly debated.
Address: CNR-IBE
Via dei Taurini 19
00185 Roma - Italy

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Papers by Marina Baldi

Homogeneous regions in Italy: an analysis of the mean and extreme climate characteristics and their impact on agriculture

ems, Sep 1, 2009

Adverse environmental conditions, lasting for several days in a row, can cause stress over ecosys... more Adverse environmental conditions, lasting for several days in a row, can cause stress over ecosystems, humans and animals with a negative impact on crop yield, human health, and on animal production and reproduction, to name few aspects, and therefore leading to severe economic losses. Namely, in the last decades, the enhanced frequency and intensity of summer heat waves in Italy have increased the importance of assessing the damages they cause. Another example is the occurrence of late spring frost causing damages not only to subsistence crops, but moreover for the so-called cash-crops. An example is the kiwifruit production in Italy specifically grown to fulfil the global demand, more than the national market, being the Italian production out of phase with the other major producers, such as New Zealand and South America. Using a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) applied to daily maximum and minimum temperature and precipitation and then a hierarchical cluster analysis, based on Ward's method, on a set of 100 stations covering the period 1971-2006, we divided the 100 sites into 8 homogeneous classes. For each cluster the climate characteristics have been analyzed, in order to have a description of the mean climate of the cluster. In addition, we analyzed the occurrence of the extreme events in each cluster, their duration and intensity, and their trend over the last decades. Focusing on the kiwifruit production regions in Italy a first attempt is presented to compare actual/suitable production regions in Italy and similar regions in New Zealand from the point of view of their respective climate trends and variability. Long term trends in agroclimatic indices and results of comparison analysis will be discussed for regions in the two Countries. The study has been partly supported by the Short term mobility programme of the Italian National Research Council, under the sponsorship of the CNR-Agrofood Department.

Heat-wave events in the Mediterranean: a recurrent feature or a global warming effect?

Past and Current Climate Changes in the Mediterranean Region

Advances in global change research, 2013

Mediterranean climate change during the last 60 years is based on homogenized daily temperature a... more Mediterranean climate change during the last 60 years is based on homogenized daily temperature and quality controlled precipitation observational data and gridded products. The estimated changes indicate statistically significant Mediterranean summer temperature increase and a reduction in winter precipitation in specific areas. Reconstructions of Mediterranean sea level suggest a rise of some 150 mm since the beginning of the nineteenth century. A 20 years long reanalysis (1985–2007) was produced, showing long term temperature variability and a positive salinity trend in the ocean layers from the surface to 1,500 m depth. A prominent increase in summer temperature extremes is found in the whole Mediterranean region, while warm bias in the mid twentieth century station data is removed by homogenization. No basin-wide trends in precipitation and droughts are found for the second half of the twentieth century, while trends in extreme winds are largely negative, as are those of the related cyclones and cut-off-lows. The role of large scale pressure patterns like the NAO for variabilities and trends is discussed for the different parameters considered.

Linking crop yields in Tuscany, Italy, to large-scale atmospheric variability, circulation regimes and weather types

The Journal of Agricultural Science, 2020

The paper presents results from a study examining the relationship between large-scale modes of c... more The paper presents results from a study examining the relationship between large-scale modes of climate variability with the fluctuations in the yield of barley, durum wheat, olives and sunflower crops in Tuscany, Italy. In particular, the blocking circulation over the growing season, with associated hot and dry conditions, decreased yield for olive crops, barley and durum wheat. The teleconnections analysed in this study are the winter North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) and the Summer North Atlantic Oscillation (SNAO); the West African Monsoon (WAM) and the Intertropical Front (ITF); and although NAO, SNAO, ITF and WAM are not strictly related to each other, the values of these indices are strongly related to the atmospheric circulation regimes and related weather types. Thus, they have an impact on precipitation and temperature patterns in Italy and on yields of important crops in Tuscany. Results show that the large-scale temperate and tropical variability directly influences the c...

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2010: Influence of the Mediterranean Sea on the West African Monsoon: intraseasonal variability

HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-entific ... more HAL is a multi-disciplinary open access archive for the deposit and dissemination of sci-entific research documents, whether they are pub-lished or not. The documents may come from teaching and research institutions in France or abroad, or from public or private research centers. L’archive ouverte pluridisciplinaire HAL, est destinée au dépôt et a ̀ la diffusion de documents scientifiques de niveau recherche, publiés ou non, émanant des établissements d’enseignement et de recherche français ou étrangers, des laboratoires publics ou privés.

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Climate and wine quality: Chianti in Tuscany

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Competencies based innovative learning solutions for co-development of climate services in West Africa

Advances in Science and Research, 2020

In developing countries, and particularly in West Africa, the role of Climate Services (CS) for s... more In developing countries, and particularly in West Africa, the role of Climate Services (CS) for sustainable development is growing thanks to wide spreading collaboration among European institutions, including National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHS) research centers, universities, and homologue local institutions. Operationally, the implementation of CSs in developing countries is mainly pivoted on NMHS, which, according to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), are dramatically affected by unmet learning demand. The global scale of learning needs for co-development of CSs calls for innovative solutions and a range of flexible modalities to reach learners in a variety of ways, and for sharing resources and successful strategies within the global education and training community. In order to harmonize expected learning outcomes, WMO defined a competency framework (CF) for CSs to be used in the implementation of training initiatives and knowledge sharing tools. This paper presents the strategic and methodological approach adopted in the implementation of the TOPaCS, a new knowledge-based distance learning initiative, aiming to provide a flexible learning environment within the CSs CF of WMO ensuring coherence with other WMO education initiatives (Global Campus, other RTCs, etc.). The methodological approach adopted is based on the competency-based approach to training, where competencies are composed by elements of knowledge and skill. TOPaCS integrates the WMO CF for CSs into a taxonomy co-designed with stakeholders at different levels, and allows the definition of learning paths, which are a further interactive opportunity for co-development of CSs within the TOPaCS learning ecosystem. Indeed, the approach aims also to guide further instructional strategies and assessments and becomes a starting point to build a common language enabling a better cooperation and exchange between the different CSs training initiatives.

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Links of the seasonal precipitation in Europe and Northern Africa to the global sea surface temperatures in gridded observational datasets and in model integrations

Heat-wave events in the Mediterranean: a recurrent feature or a global warming effect?

Effects of environmental factors on monuments: the Harkhuf Tomb in Aswan, Egypt

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White Paper on Mediterranean Climate Variability and Predictability Positioning

The Mediterranean Region has many morphologic, geographical, historical and societal characterist... more The Mediterranean Region has many morphologic, geographical, historical and societal characteristics which make its climate scientifically interesting per se (e.g. Bolle 2003). At the same time, the connotation of "Mediterranean climate" has been extended to define the climate of other (generally smaller) regions and hence it has its own role in the qualitative classification of the different types of climate on Earth (e.g. Köppen, 1936). In general, the qualitative concept of "Mediterranean" climate, is characterized by mild wet winters and warm to hot, dry summers and may occur on the West Side of continents between about 30° and 40° latitude. 0.4 Interactions with Other Projects and Initiatives MedCLIVAR project will benefit from the cooperation with related ongoing efforts in the Mediterranean region. The project "Eau Mediterranee en Atlantique" (EMA) coordinated by X. Carton et al. (2004) is highly relevant to the objectives of the present effort. We have already established contacts with EMA scientists. Another ongoing activity that MedCLIVAR will seek linkages with is the Mediterranean Forecasting System (http://www.bo.ingv.it/mfstep/), a EU Framework 5 project coordinated by N. Pinardi that is contributing to the GODAE. Plans are developing for a Mediterranean GEWEX Continental Scale Experiment proposed by Y. Tourre and J-H. Bolle. Contacts are already established with Y. Tourre for a close coordination during the planning phase.

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Simple solutions for the summer shallow atmospheric circulation over North Africa

Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, Apr 1, 2018

The spring-to-summer shallow atmospheric circulation over North Africa is driven by two desert he... more The spring-to-summer shallow atmospheric circulation over North Africa is driven by two desert heat lows (DHLs), one over Sahara (SHL) and one over Arabia (AHL), with cyclones embedded in the convective layer, capped by mid-tropospheric anticyclones. The aim of this work is to produce a minimal theoretical framework for these dynamical features in terms of Kelvin, mixed and planetary mode solutions to a two-layer Matsuno-Gill model with a lower Rayleigh frictional layer dynamically coupled to an almost frictionless upper layer. Results show that a DHL drives a Walker-like cell with rising air over the low and subsiding air to its west, with the lower-level cyclone to the east of the mid-tropospheric anticyclone; the latter being bounded to the southwest by an unstable easterly jet. These features, related to frictional differences between the two layers, are enhanced by ambient easterly winds. In spring, the stronger SHL drives a cell with rising air over West Africa and subsiding over the Atlantic. The weaker AHL drives a cell with rising air over Arabia and subsiding over East Africa. In summer, the stronger AHL drives a cell with rising air over Arabia and subsiding over Libya, and the weaker SHL drives a cell with rising air over West Sahara and subsiding over the Atlantic. The concurrent contributions of easterly winds, monsoonal low level convergence, and seasonal airborne dust warming strengthen the SHL, making its winds stronger than those of the AHL. In addition, a third order expansion of the Coriolis parameter strengthens the zonal winds and weakens the meridional winds. These contributors strengthen anticyclones over the East Mediterranean and to the west of Gibraltar. The ability of the model in representing the main features of the North African atmospheric circulations suggests a potential for better understanding climate dynamics in connected regions (Mediterranean, Tropical Atlantic).

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New perspectives on land-atmosphere feedbacks from the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis

Atmospheric Science Letters, 2011

Research into land-atmosphere coupling within the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis has ... more Research into land-atmosphere coupling within the African Monsoon Multidisciplinary Analysis has highlighted the atmospheric impact of soil moisture on space scales of 5 km upwards and time scales of several days. Observational and modelling studies have shown how antecedent rainfall patterns affect new storms in the Sahel. The land feedback operates through various mechanisms, including a direct link to afternoon storm initiation from surface-induced mesoscale circulations, and indirectly via a large-scale moisture transport in the nocturnal monsoon. The results suggest potential for significant improvements in weather forecasting through assimilation of satellite data. Intriguing questions remain about the importance of vegetation memory on seasonal-interannual scales.

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Uso di Super Computer per la modellistica meteo-climatica: dai cluster PC all'Earth Simulator

Una sempre più accurata informazione scientifica sui temi delle previsioni meteorologiche così co... more

Ichtiaque Rasool

... The heat wave, which started on the 4th of August, began to break up around the 15th in the n... more

JP2. 6

ams.confex.com

The long term management and planning of a catchment require the accurate knowledge of heavy rain... more

Extreme rainfall events in the Sinai Peninsula

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Climatologia delle temperature ed eventi estremi estivi a scala nazionale e regionale

Climatology and Dynamical Evolution of Extreme Rainfall Events in the Sinai Peninsula—Egypt

Sustainability, 2020

The whole Mediterranean is suffering today because of climate changes, with projections of more s... more The whole Mediterranean is suffering today because of climate changes, with projections of more severe impacts predicted for the coming decades. Egypt, on the southeastern flank of the Mediterranean Sea, is facing many challenges for water and food security, further exacerbated by the arid climate conditions. The Nile River represents the largest freshwater resource for the country, with a minor contribution coming from rainfall and from non-renewable groundwater aquifers. In more recent years, another important source is represented by non-conventional sources, such as treated wastewater reuse and desalination; these water resources are increasingly becoming valuable additional contributors to water availability. Moreover, although rainfall is scarce in Egypt, studies have shown that rainfall and flash floods can become an additional available source of water in the future. While presently rare, heavy rainfalls and flash floods are responsible for huge losses of lives and infrastru...

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The high official Harkhuf and the inscriptions of his tomb in Aswan (Egypt). An integrated methodological approach

ACTA IMEKO, 2016

TECH project (Technology for the Egyptian Cultural Heritage) aimed to document an Egyptian monume... more TECH project (Technology for the Egyptian Cultural Heritage) aimed to document an Egyptian monument for Egyptological studies and researches but, at the same time, to check a new methodological approach for conservation, valorisation and enhancement. In particular, the CNR mission focused the attention on the tomb of Harkhuf, a high official of the VI dynasty (XXIII century BC), who led trading and military expeditions into Nubia. The hieroglyphic texts inscribed on the façade of his tomb are very important and famous documents. The team checked an innovative and integrated methodology. The methodology has been focused mainly on the use of digital photogrammetric systems in order to generate an accurate numerical model (3D) and to facilitate the epigraphic study. Different procedures have been established in the processing and representation steps in order to accomplish the final communication of the results. Moreover climatic measurements have been carried out in order to understan...

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Marina Baldi

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