Tuscany

Tuscany Weather Overview

Tuscany is one of the twenty regions of Italy, itself comprised of 10 different regions. Tuscany lies on the Tyrrhenian Sea, on the north-western coast, or ‘upper shin’, of Italy.

The region has a mixed geography that ranges from coastal plains to hills right and high mountain peaks. As a result, weather conditions vary across the region. Depending on your proximity to the water, shelter from prevailing winds and altitude, the weather can vary considerably. Tuscany best fits the category of a Mediterranean climate: one of long hot summers and short mild winters.

The region’s capital is the famously beautiful historic city of Florence. The city is decadently scattered with magnificent art and architecture and is notable for being the birthplace of the Italian Renaissance. The weather in Florence is slightly more humid than other parts of the region and its climate is sometimes classified as being humid subtropical.

Summers in Florence are hot and humid with an average high of 31ºC throughout July and August and 28 ºC and 27ºC in June and September respectively.

There is very little rainfall throughout the summer months, so residents and tourists receive little break from the scorching sun in the height of summer. As Florence is located a fair distance from the coast, the city does not receive the cooling evening breezes that blow off the Mediterranean. As a result Florence is considerably hotter than coastal areas.

The city is humid for much of the year, due mainly to its position in a valley surrounded by hills with the Arno river passing through it. This river caused a devastating flood in November 1966 which resulted in the deaths of 40 people and destroyed millions of priceless pieces of artwork and rare books.

Winters in Florence are cool and damp. The city receives the majority of its rainfall in the winter months and experiences occasional snowfall. November and December are generally the wettest months; December to January are the coldest months seeing average daily temperatures of 6ºC with highs of 10ºC and lows of 1ºC.

Set slightly back from the coast of Tuscany you will find the historic city of Pisa, home to the famous leaning tower of Pisa. Pisa, much like the rest of the coast is cooled by the local prevailing winds, this provides much needed relief from the heights of the summer heat. In the summer months between June and August, Pisa sees an average daily temperature of 20ºC and 23ºC (respectively) and rain is at a minimum, particularly in July.

Livorno is a popular port city on the Ligurian Sea. It is south from Pisa. Livorno is the third largest port on Italy’s western coast and is a favourite destination for those from inland Tuscany wishing to escape the inland heat during the summer months. Livorno's temperatures are much the same as Pisa's, though Livorno is affected more by the coastal winds. With a 23ºC average in summer, and peak summer days reaching average highs of 29ºC, it’s no wonder it is a favourite spot with the locals.

The autumn months are when Livorno and neighbouring cities record the greatest rainfall, with October and November being the wettest averaging 120mm precipitation each. The rain begins to die off come December, but with the decreasing rainfall also comes decreasing temperatures. Livorno sees average lows of a chilly 2ºC to 3ºC in the winter months of December to February.

Livorno and its surrounding coastal areas play host to a variety of local winds. The winter months see four prevailing winds which keep the region slightly cooler than if the winds were absent. The Libeccio is a south westerly wind that brings gusty conditions to the coast throughout the winter months of November to February. The Grecale and the Maestrale are north-easterly and north-westerly (respectively) winds which bring cold dry conditions to the region, and finally the Tramontana is a cold northerly wind which blows through the region toward the end of winter.

The area is not just affected by winter winds, the sirocco is a hot wind that blows through the region from the southwest and is most common in the spring and autumn months. The wind comes from the Sahara desert and can bring dust and gusty storms into the region, though by the time it reaches Tuscany it generally just brings a warm pleasant breeze.

As you head further south you will reach the Province of Grosseto and the towns of Follonica and Grosseto. Follonica is a very popular tourist spot during the summer months, particularly with the Tuscan locals as they flock to the coast to escape inland heat. Nevertheless, Follonica and the surrounding region does see its fair share of uncomfortably hot days. July and August see an average maximum high of 29ºC, while June and September see an average high of 26ºC. Summer sees average lows of 14ºC to 17ºC.

A perfect escape from the summer heat is to take a visit to the award winning beaches of Follonica. The city has been awarded the Blue Flag (Bandiera Blù in Italian) every year since 2000. The Blue Flag is an award recognizing a city for the cleanliness of its beaches and seawater.

September still receives summer temperatures. The mercury begins to drop slightly come October, which sees an average maximum of 22ºC and a minimum of 11ºC. By November the average maximum has fallen to 16ºC and the minimum to a sharp 7ºC. The winter months of December to February see the minimums falling to a chilly 2 to 3ºC, but the weather warms up slightly come March. By April the average maximum sits at 18ºC and you find your self in the midst of springtime on the Tuscan coast.

The Grosseto region typically sees the majority of its rainfall in November, closely followed by October. So while autumn is a great time to visit, keep in mind that you may be hit by sporadic showers and overcast days. If you wish to visit in one of the off-peak months its best to plan your trip in spring which is drier and when Tuscany is in bloom.

Tuscan Archipelago

If you head about 20 km west off shore you will reach the Tuscan Archipelago which is a chain of islands between the Ligurian Sea and Tyrrhenian Sea, home to Pianosa, Capraia, Montecristo, Giglio, Gorgona, Giannutri and the largest island of the group, Elba.

Elba is the largest and most populous of the islands, and the third largest Italian island after Sicily and Sardinia. Elba is gorgeous with cobbled beaches backed by mountains lapped by crystal clear water. Elba enjoys a mild climate with few days of rainfall, though enough to keep the island a luscious green. Rain falls predominately in the winter months, with December generally seeing the most days with rain – averaging at 8 days.

The island is in the path of two prevailing winds, one being the previously mentioned south-easterly gale, the Sirocco, and the local north-westerly wind known as the Mistral. The mistral is a much fresher wind than the Sirocco and makes the summer evenings very pleasant.

The region is occasionally hit by the less frequent but potentially problematic libeccio and poniente winds (respectively south-westerly and westerly). They generally occur once or twice a year in the winter months and have the affect of making the sea extremely choppy and very difficult if not impossible to navigate.

The previously mentioned tramontana and grecale ice cold winds that prevail from the north and north-east (respectively) do occasionally hit Elba and neighbouring islands, however the geographical formation of the islands means that there is always plenty of shelter available to shield from the winds.

Elba and the majority of the Tuscan archipelago see summer temperatures of 24ºC to 28ºC, with July and August being the hottest months. There is also very minimal if not nonexistent rainfall during this period.

In the archipelago temperature doesn’t vary greatly throughout the year. While it does witness four distinct seasons, it rarely witnesses any major temperature extremes. Winter nights can get chilly and summer days can get very hot but on the whole the area is fairly mild and extremely pleasant. Winter highs sit at 18ºC and fall to an average low 10ºC, with January being the coldest month experience an average minimum of 8ºC.

back to top