Parts of Italy do follow a standard Mediterranean climate, with hot (hot) summers and pretty mild winters, and much of the rainfall occurring in autumn and spring. However, this is not always the case.
Italy is quite a long country compared to its neighbours. It’s mountainous in parts and flat and dry in others, so there’s similarities and differences in weather all around the country. Yes, a lot of the country does fit the classic Mediterranean brief, but some areas, especially in the north, see humid summers with thunderstorms, and thick snowfall in winter.
Weather in Venice
Venice has a humid subtropical climate, with cool winters and hot, muggy summers. Autumnal rainfall in the north of the country and high tides in Venice’s lagoon and canals see some parts of the city prone to flooding in November and December, especially Piazza San Marco.
| MONTH | Â AVERAGE HIGHÂ | Â AVERAGE LOWÂ |
|---|---|---|
| June to August | 26°C/79°F | 17°C/63°F |
|  September to November | 18°C/64°F | 10°C/49°F |
|  December to February | 7°C/45°F | 1°C/33°F |
| March to May | 16°C/62°F | 8°C/46°F |
Weather in Milan
Milan also follows a humid subtropical weather pattern with hot, humid summers and cold, foggy winters. This region is framed by the Alps and the Apennine Mountains, which block winds and weather patterns from northern Europe from extending further south. Snow falls in Milan once or twice during winter, and the city has its highest rainfall in April and May.
| MONTH | Â AVERAGE HIGHÂ | Â AVERAGE LOWÂ |
|---|---|---|
| June to August | 30°C/86°F | 18°C/65°F |
|  September to November | 20°C/66°F | 10°C/49°F |
|  December to February | 8°C/47°F | 0°C/32°F |
| March to May | 20°C/67°F | 8°C/47°F |
Weather in Rome
The further south you travel, the steadier the weather becomes. Move over humid subtropical – Rome is on the Mediterranean weather diet. Although average highs in Rome during summer sit at around 30°C (87°F), it’s not uncommon for a number of days to clock over 40°C (104°F). Snowfall is rare in winter but not unheard of – there’s measurable snowfall about once every five years.
| MONTH | Â AVERAGE HIGHÂ | Â AVERAGE LOWÂ |
|---|---|---|
| June to August | 30°C/87°F | 18°C/65°F |
|  September to November | 23°C/73°F | 12°C/54°F |
|  December to February | 14°C/57°F | 3°C/38°F |
| March to May | 20°C/68°F | 9°C/48°F |
Weather in Sicily
Sicily is graced with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The island's higher points see some snowfall, with the summit of Mt Etna usually snow-capped from October to May. Sicily’s coastline, especially in the south-west, is affected by African currents, with the highest average sea temperatures in August at 27°C (80°F). The following temperatures are average seasonal highs and lows for Palemo, on Sicily’s north coast.
| MONTH | Â AVERAGE HIGHÂ | Â AVERAGE LOWÂ |
|---|---|---|
| June to August | 27°C/82°F | 22°C/72°F |
|  September to November | 23°C/73°F | 19°C/67°F |
|  December to February | 15°C/60°F | 11°C/53°F |
| March to May | 18°C/65°F | 13°C/56°F |
Click to read about the best time to visit Italy
Click to read our Italy packing guide
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