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The earliest temperature observations in the world: the Medici Network (1654–1670)

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Abstract

This paper presents the earliest temperature observations, scheduled every 3–4 h in the 1654–1670 period, which have been recovered and analysed for the first time. The observations belong to the Medici Network, the first international network of meteorological observations, based on eleven stations, the two main ones being Florence and Vallombrosa, Italy. All observations were made with identical thermometers and operational methodology, including outdoor exposure in the shade and in the sunshine to evaluate solar heating, state of the sky, wind direction and precipitation frequency. This paper will consider only the regular temperature series taken in the shade. The observations were made with the newly invented spirit-in-glass thermometer, also known as Little Florentine Thermometer (LFT). The readings have been transformed into modern units of temperature (°C) and time (TMEC). The LFT has been analysed in detail: how it was made, its linearity, calibration and performances. Since the middle of the LIA, the climate in Florence has shown less than 0.18°C warming. However, although the yearly average showed little change, the seasonal departures are greater, i.e. warmer summers, colder winters and unstable mid seasons. The temperature in the Vallombrosa mountain station, 1,000 m a.m.s.l, apparently rose more, i.e. 1.41°C. A discussion is made on the interpretation of this finding: how much it is affected by climate change or bias. A continuous swinging of the temperature was observed in the Mediterranean area, as documented by the long instrumental observations over the 1654–2009 period. However, changes in vegetation, or exposure bias might have contributed to reduce the homogeneity of the series over the centuries.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the EU, projects “European climate of the last Millennium” (Millennium, Contract 017008-2) and “Climate for Culture” (Grant 226973). This paper was possible thanks to the exquisite cooperation of Colleagues and Institutions who have facilitated the research of scientific and archive data and metadata, or have kindly supplied documents. Special thanks are due to the courtesy of: Prof. GP. Maracchi and Dr. A. Crisci, CNR-IBIMET, Florence (Florence temperature dataset 1878-onwards); Dr. M. Sulli, Istituto Sperimentale per la Selvicoltura, Florence (Vallombrosa temperature dataset 1872-onwards); Dr. P. Pirolo and Dr. S. Pelle, National Central Library (BNCF), Florence; Prof. P. Galluzzi, Dr. A. Lenzi, Dr. G. Strano, Dr. A. Saviori, Museo Galileo-Institute and Museum of History of Science (MG-IMHS), Florence; Father P.D. Spotorno, Library of Vallombrosa Abbey; Father U. Fossa, Library of Camaldoli Abbey; Mrs L. Persia, Italian Corps of Foresters (GFS), Office for the Biodiversity, Vallombrosa; Prof. E. Borchi and Prof. R. Macii, Ximenian Observatory, Florence and Dr. D. Vergari, University of Florence.

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  1. National Research Council (CNR), Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, Corso Stati Uniti 4, 35127, Padua, Italy

    Dario Camuffo & Chiara Bertolin

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  1. Dario Camuffo
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  2. Chiara Bertolin
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Correspondence to Dario Camuffo.

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Camuffo, D., Bertolin, C. The earliest temperature observations in the world: the Medici Network (1654–1670). Climatic Change 111, 335–363 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10584-011-0142-5

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