Climate and Average Weather in Italy

The moderating influence of the sea and the protection given by the Alpine barrier from the cold north winds gives the north of Italy a maritime climate. Nevertheless, the weather varies considerably depending on how far one is from the sea or the mountains. This means there are three different climate types across the whole country.

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, most precipitation falls during spring and in summer.

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.

Interested in more detailed Weather and Climate information for Italy?
Please select the city below you wish to travel to, or the one closest to your destination. Each selected city will show you 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.

Popular places in Italy

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Islands of Italy

Regions in Italy