Bologna beat competition from three UK cities, Luxembourg, Finland’s Espoo and Iceland’s Akureyri to host the data center of the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), an intergovernmental organisation supported by 34 states which provides medium-term weather and climate forecasts, as well as strategic information for both civil use (from aeronautics to geological protection) and national defense.

“This is great news and a huge accomplishment for Italy, Emilia, and Bologna,” Environment Minister Gianluca Galletti said, after the ECMWF Council yesterday announced its decision following a meeting in Reading, 40 miles west of London, where the center is currently based.