Most of Italy has a Mediterranean type of climate, which has cool, rainy winters and hot, dry summers. Winter temperatures along and near the coasts of southern Italy seldom drop to freezing in winter, and summer temperatures often reach 90° F (32° C) or higher. Winter is the rainy season, when streambeds that remain empty during much of the year fill to overflowing and flash floods are common. Summers are dry, and certain crops, especially fruits and vegetables, must be irrigated throughout much of the peninsula and on the islands.
The climate of northern Italy differs greatly from that of the south. Winters tend to be cold, with heavy snowfall in the Alps, much rain, and fog. Summers are not as hot, and summer rains aid farming.
With its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, Italy experiences a mediterranean climate. Winters in Italy are cool and humid in the north and the mountainous zone. Sometimes cold air from northern Europe can spread south into Italy, bring snow to most mountains, while the coasts are kept warm by the high sea temperatures. Storms like the Mistral can bring snow and gales, sometimes even in southern districts of Italy.
The summer can be quite hot in Italy, mainly in the south of the peninsula, with high nocturnal temperatures of usually 28-33°C, but sometimes even 40°C. Thunderstorms are quite common especially in the northern areas. The mediterranean climate in Italy has often local variations. Surrounded by warm seas and with mountains close by, the coast always has a breeze; mountain areas are usually cooler with clear sunny skies, but sometimes local showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon. Hot air rising from the sea can cause heavy thunderstorms especially in early autumn, but these bring often the only summer rain that rapidly evaporates. In spring the Sirocco, a warm wind from Africa, raises the temperature of the peninsula. In The summer these Winds can bring very hot, unpleasant weather, sometimes even up to the northern districts of Italy.
Light T-shirts and cotton clothes are recommended for the summer, while warmer clothes are necessary for the winter.
The climate of northern Italy differs greatly from that of the south. Winters tend to be cold, with heavy snowfall in the Alps, much rain, and fog. Summers are not as hot, and summer rains aid farming.
With its hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters, Italy experiences a mediterranean climate. Winters in Italy are cool and humid in the north and the mountainous zone. Sometimes cold air from northern Europe can spread south into Italy, bring snow to most mountains, while the coasts are kept warm by the high sea temperatures. Storms like the Mistral can bring snow and gales, sometimes even in southern districts of Italy.
The summer can be quite hot in Italy, mainly in the south of the peninsula, with high nocturnal temperatures of usually 28-33°C, but sometimes even 40°C. Thunderstorms are quite common especially in the northern areas. The mediterranean climate in Italy has often local variations. Surrounded by warm seas and with mountains close by, the coast always has a breeze; mountain areas are usually cooler with clear sunny skies, but sometimes local showers or thunderstorms in the afternoon. Hot air rising from the sea can cause heavy thunderstorms especially in early autumn, but these bring often the only summer rain that rapidly evaporates. In spring the Sirocco, a warm wind from Africa, raises the temperature of the peninsula. In The summer these Winds can bring very hot, unpleasant weather, sometimes even up to the northern districts of Italy.
Light T-shirts and cotton clothes are recommended for the summer, while warmer clothes are necessary for the winter.