Climate and Weather of Italy
The north of Italy experiences a humid subtropical climate in the lowlands (like the Po Valley) and continental influences, with hot summers and cold winters. The Alps do not fully protect the north from cold northern winds; cold air can still reach the region, leading to chilly winters. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably depending on how far one is from the sea or the mountains. This means there are various different climate types across the whole country, including Mediterranean, humid subtropical, oceanic, and alpine climates.Central and southern Italy have a Mediterranean climate, with warm, dry summers and relatively mild winters. The northernmost part of Italy, where the lower limit of the Alps is located, has in part a high-mountain climate and in lower elevations a transitional climate.
Winter is very cold in the Alps, but mild and even warm on the Ligurian and Neapolitan coasts and in Sicilia. Here also summer is hot and dry, whereas in the Alps it is pleasantly cool. In mountain areas, winter is ideal for skiing.
Most of the precipitation in Italy falls west of the Apennines and in the mountains in the far north of Italy. These areas often record more than 1200 mm of precipitation per year, some of which falls in the form of snow during winter. Where and when most rain falls depends mainly on the region and the season. For example, the southern half of Italy has a fairly even rainfall pattern, with most of the rain falling in winter months (December - March) and little or no rain in the dry summer months (June - September). Starting September the chances of rain increase again. In the northern half of the Italian mainland, precipitation is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year, with peaks in spring and autumn.
Starting in Tuscany and further south you can experience pleasant temperatures early in the year during spring (April - June) and these warm temperatures last until late autumn (end of October). Winters are mild compared to other western European countries. And the further south you go, the warmer the weather. For example, a city trip to Rome can even be made in winter with an average temperature of 13°C. However, it’s preferable to avoid the city in July and August; this is the time of year the locals flee because of the heat, with an average of 32°C.
Are you interested in more detailed information for various cities in Italy?
Please select the city you plan to visit, or one closest to your destination. For each selected city, you will see the following graphs:
1. Yearly average minimum and maximum temperatures
2. Monthly averages of precipitation throughout the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Monthly average hours of sunshine throughout the year
Additionally, some pages provide historical weather data such as humidity, wind speed, and water temperature.