ROME (AFP) -- Italy recorded its warmest December last month since records began in 1860, with an average temperature of 6.9 Celsius (44.4 Fahrenheit), Italian media said, quoting meteorologists at the university of Modena.

January 12 was also the warmest winter day this season in northern Italy, with temperatures of 22 C (72 F) reported in Aosta and 17 C (63 F) in Bolzano, according to Milan meteorologist Mario Giuliacci, quoted by the Ansa news agency.

He said that temperatures in the region have been 3.0 to 5.0 degrees above average since October.

A lack of snow in Italy forced a six-week postponement of the freestyle world skiing championships at Madonna di Campiglio from January 22-27 to March 5-11.