Weather in Italy

Expats moving to Italy may expect the climate to be just as attractive as the rich local culture. However, the climate in Italy is subject to inconsistency as the country is large and the weather varies with the terrain.

The country can be divided into five main regions, the north-east, north-west, centre, south and the islands.

In northern mountainous regions of the Alps, villages and cities often experience long, cold winters with heavy snowfall along with rain and hail. Morning lows in winter are often well below freezing, sometimes dropping as low as -30°C (-22°F). Summers are mild with 27°C (81°F) being the average high in July, the region's hottest month. Even during this period, there may be snowfall.

A bit further south, cities like Milan and Venice experience extremes. Severe wet and foggy winters with close to freezing average temperatures of around 2°C (36°F) and hot and humid summers with a few short bursts of cold spells and hailstorms. Summer temperatures can climb to 32°C (90°F).

Locations like Naples and the Vatican City further towards the south of Italy experience a moderate Mediterranean climate, with very hot, dry summers and mild winters. The warmest month in this region is in August which can bring blistering temperatures of up to 42°C (108°F). Winter lows, on the other hand, are usually around a manageable 9°C (48°F).

Spring and autumn are generally short and sweet, and these brief seasons bring the most pleasant weather in Italy.