Climate and natural hazards

Campobasso, at about 700 metres, has cold winters with snowfall every year and frequent fog; Isernia is slightly milder; the Matese (Campitello Matese, 1,400 m) and Alto Molise (Capracotta, among the highest and snowiest municipalities in the Apennines) have long winters. The coastal strip of Termoli and Campomarino has an Adriatic climate with hot summers and mild winters. Inland summers are dry and breezy, with rarely extreme temperatures.

Seismic risk

Civil Protection classifies most of the province of Isernia and the Matese in seismic zone 1, almost all the rest in zone 2. The earthquake of 31 October 2002 (magnitude 5.7) struck lower Molise and caused the collapse of the primary school in San Giuliano di Puglia, killing 27 children and a teacher (the earthquake caused 30 deaths in all); that event led to the national revision of seismic classification. On 16 August 2018 a magnitude 5.1 shock at Montecilfone damaged many buildings without casualties. The Matese earthquake of 1805 and that of 1456 are the great historical events. Checking a building's seismic class is necessary throughout the region.

Landslides, fires, water

Molise has one of the highest landslide indices in Italy: hill towns built on clay (Campobasso itself, Petacciato, Civitacampomarano) live with slow slope movements, and road closures follow heavy rain. Summer forest fires affect the Matese and the coast. In winter inland roads (SS17, SS87, Bifernina) may close for snow. Air quality is good everywhere; water is plentiful thanks to the Matese and Volturno springs, which also supply Campania and Puglia.