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Weather Overview for Lake Como

Lying 45km north of Milan, within the Lombardy region of Italy, is the beautiful Lake Como. At 400m, the lake is one of the deepest in all of Europe, and at 146 square km it is one of the largest lakes in Italy.

Lake Como is Y-shaped, and at the south-western and south-eastern (the top of the Y) tips are the popular towns of Lecco and Como. In Como the conditions are very similar to that of Milan. However, due to Como’s proximity to such a large mass of water, conditions in Como are slightly milder than those witnessed in Milan.

The entirety of the Lake Como region is famed for its mild conditions; summers rarely get excruciatingly hot and winters are never bitterly cold. Snow may fall in the region on the odd occasion, but is generally very rare from year to year. Summers will see the odd day when the mercury rises over 30°C, but in the peak summer months the temperatures tend to hover in the high 20’s.

Lake Como is a popular location for those interested in wind sports. The mountain valleys funnel wind making it ideal for windsurfing as on Lake Garda.

The climate is Mediterranean which means the summers are long and winters are short and mild. Summer conditions begin around May when the average daily high rises to about 20°C. Once you move into June the highs reach 24°C, before peaking at 26°C in the hottest month of July.

Rainfall is consistent across the year, with spring and autumn being the wettest periods. The springtime, while very beautiful as the trees and flowers bloom, can see torrential downpours which can last for 1 or 2 days. However, after the rain you’ll be sure to be met with a good run of sunny clear days.

To some extent, Lake Como stores summer heat and releases it throughout winter, moderating temperatures throughout the year as the sea does in coastal areas. The surrounding mountains also act as insulation keeping the areas warmer than other locations at similar latitudes.

Winters do see temperatures drop below freezing, and January is generally the coldest month with an average minimum of -3°C and maximum of only 2°C. The average temperatures of January and February are -1°C and 0°C, respectively. Sunshine levels get down to 3 hours per day but this an improvement on the 1 hour per day expected in the UK.

Snow falls as you head to higher elevations; it is rare to find it in the lowlands. The northern parts of Lake Como have a tendency to be a few degrees cooler than the south and the north also receives more rain - this is due to the north’s closer proximity to the Italian Alps.

While summer will see perfect holiday weather, keep in mind that this is the same thought that 1000’s of others have had. It can be quite crowded and prices are usually higher. Winter can still be a great time to visit, you can make the most of the off season deals and enjoy Lake Como in quiet. With snow on the surrounding mountains the area is truly picture perfect.

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