Italian summer in winter: Over 30C in Sicily

Whilst we're deep in the freezer, Sicily just recorded a whopping 30C.

A maximum temperature of 30.2C was reached in Torregrotta, in the province of Messina, Sicily on Friday December 16th, with Calabria in south-west Italy and Sardinia also experiencing a summer-like afternoon in mid-winter!

Thanks to clear skies and Sirocco winds, the mercury in Sicily easily rocketed. Among the highest temperatures recorded in Sicily were ​​Syracuse with 27C, San Fratello with 30.2C, and Termini Imerese with 24.9C.

Sirocco winds are Mediterranean winds that originate from the Sahara, which carried warm, dry air towards Italy.

The weather conditions are the complete opposite in the north, where wind, snow and brutal cold are taking charge. You can see footage from the snowfall captured below in Turin.