The climate

The rain is concentrated in the winter, generally from November to March, so that the resulting short winter period is remarkably humid.  The summer period, on the other hand, consists of three dry months.  The rains often occur in brief and intense downpours, in this case, more damaging than useful given that the water penetrates the clayey and impermeable ground with difficulty. There are also irregularities with the rains between one year and the next, creating agricultural needs.  The hydrogeological equilibrium is maintained by the creation of an irrigation system, allowing for prosperity for certain crops and survival for others.

There is rarely snow, but when this occurs, it is obviously a spectacle.

From certain exposed points in the town, you can also feel the effects of the winds.  The hot winds, called Scirocco, originating in the African Sahara, occur for a few days, bringing fine yellow sands.  From the north and north west, blow the Tramontana and the Maestrale, respectively, bringing cold dry weather during the winter and hot dry weather in the summer.

The temperature difference between day and night is relatively minimal  The average annual temperature is around 18 degrees.  The coldest month is generally January while the hottest is generally August.  The climate and terrain also lends itself to the formation of forests, even in the present day.  Besides the new growths, the primitive forests have been affected over the centuries and the pain of summer fires, more or less destructive, has reduced the forest estate in a consistent manner.  The reliefs, steep and deprived of trees which could trap the rain water, course from here with vehemence.  They form themselves into deep furrows and improvised streams which flow into tortorous torrents, delimiting the Forzese territory.  in these collects corresive debris, dangerously on the sides of the hills.

Oaks, chestnuts, mulberries, almonds, walnuts, peanuts, carrubi, remain today however, reminding us still of the pastoral life of a time not so long ago.

Translation by  Christine Ware