"We are developing medium-term scenarios in case of an absence of precipitation," said Guido Bertolaso, head of Italy's civil protection service, after a meeting here.

December was the warmest in Italy since records began in 1860, though lower temperatures are predicted next week.

The absence of snow has already hurt the winter ski season, and the Italian Agriculture Confederation fears a drought similar to that of 2003, which caused some five billion euros (6.5 billion dollars) in losses, notably in the agricultural sector.

"We must act locally but think globally against climate change because it is a planetary phenomenon that requires a maximum of effort," said Franco Prodi, director of the National Research Center in Bologna.

"It is obvious that the weak precipitation is of concern," added Prodi, a brother of Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi.

Bertolaso said a cold wave would be disastrous for fruit trees that are already flowering.

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