Italy Weather Guide

Italy lies in the Mediterranean, and is large enough to be home to three distinct geographical regions; each with its own weather patterns. The Southern side of Italy where the country borders France, Austria, Switzerland and Slovenia makes up one region. The mountainous peninsula of central and southern Italy along with Sardinia and Sicily make up the second region and the great plain of the Po Valley which stretches from Turin to Venice makes up the third region.

The first region contains the Italian Alps, and is the rainiest region in Italy. Snow and ice in the winter and hot summers characterize this area, which has weather similar to the Swiss Alps, but slightly warmer and wetter overall. Summer is the rainiest season here, with frequent thunder and lightening storms. The higher altitudes have generally colder weather than the lower regions and valleys.

The southern Peninsula of Italy is mainly coastal, and has a more classically Mediterranean weather pattern. The coastal areas of this region have mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers. Winters in the mountains can be snowy and cold but the lower altitudes remain mild year-round.

The Po Valley region of Italy is characterized by surprisingly cold winters. While the summers here are hot and dry, fall, winter and spring are characterized by fog, wind and rain.