Italy is known for its lake districts where travelers can enjoy a holiday away. One look around at Lake Maggiore, also called Lago Maggiore, and it's easy to see why it's one of the most popular lake districts and why Ernest Hemingway choose the location as the setting of his famous novel, "A Farewell to Arms". Europeans and international travelers alike flock to the shores to enjoy moderate weather, scenic views, fun attractions, and natural beauty that ranges from botanical gardens to lush forests.
No matter the time of the year, the lake has plenty to offer visitors in terms of things to do to stay busy. Lake Maggiore sits at the southern side of the Great Alps and takes up residence in both Italy and Switzerland. It's Switzerland's largest alpine lake and Italy's second largest. Quaint little towns line the shores of the lake, welcoming visitors with yummy restaurants, cute hotels, and lots to see and do.
Some of the most popular towns include Ascona that sits on the delta of the lake, Brissago, which is located on the right shoreline, and Stresa found further south. If you want to experience all the lake has to offer, check out the Lake Maggiore Express, a roundtrip adventure on train and ferry.
Lake Maggiore enjoys a mild climate all year round, which is similar to the weather many Mediterranean countries enjoy. Visitors are treated to nearly 280 sunny days in a year, with an astounding 2,400 hours of sunshine annually. During the winter months, the area will see some snowfall, but typically it is inconsistent and generally falls in the higher elevations. The lake sees the most rainfall in the spring and the least amount in the winter months.
Summer is the most popular time to visit thanks to the warm temperatures, long days, and little humidity. In the spring and autumn months, the temperatures are moderate and even though there is more rainfall, it's typically light and short-lived so travelers still have the opportunity to get outside and enjoy the sites. The winter is considered off-season, but can be a good time to visit for those who enjoy winter sports or want a milder winter compared to the rest of Europe.
Spring Weather in Lake Maggiore
The spring season means an increase in visitors but also an increase in rain. Spring is rainy, seeing some of the highest totals throughout the year, but fortunately, the temperatures are also rapidly rising during this time.
Temperature
In March, April, and May, the average daily temperature hits 7°C to 17°C (about 45°F to 63°F), with higher temperatures later in the spring. The highs will get up from 13°C to 22°C (around 55°F to 72°F), starting to feel pretty balmy especially by May.
Rainfall
The lows can still drop down to a chilly 1°C or 11°C (about 34°F to 52°F) by the end of the season. The average rainfall this time of year ranges between 74 mm and 180 mm and will fall over 13 to 18 days in the month. Fortunately, the rain tends to fall as light spring showers, so outdoor activities are still a possibility. Additionally, the area sees 8 to 10 hours of sunshine each day, lots of time to get outside and explore the lake.
Summer Weather in Lake Maggiore
As summer rolls in, the number of people visiting on holiday continues to increase making this the high season for the resort. Unlike other areas in Europe with hot and humid summers, Lake Maggiore has mild temperatures and low humidity, ideal for trying outdoor pursuits like hiking, boating, and swimming.
Temperature
With the average daily temperature reaching 21°C to 22°C (about 70°F to 72°F), visitors will want to spend all their time outside. The highs go up to between 26°C and 28°C (around 79°F to 82°F). At night, the lows drop down to 15°C to 17°C (around 59°F to 63°F).
Rainfall
Along with pleasant temperatures, the area gets less rain than in the spring, with an average of 154 mm to 189 mm falling during June, July, and August. The rain falls over an average of 13 to 15 days each month, but thankfully the showers are light and short-lived. While there, vacationers have 9 to 10 hours of sunshine each day, plenty of time to get out and enjoy all the lake has to offer.
Autumn Weather in Lake Maggiore
Just like the temperatures increased quickly in the spring, the temperatures drop just as fast in the autumn months. The crowds have started to die down at this time, but those who do visit get an amazing look at the changing leaves bursting with color.
Temperature
In September, October, and November, the average daily temperature has a large range, between 7°C and 18°C (about 45°F to 64°F). The highs still reach up to 11°C to 24°C (around 52°F to 75°F), while the lows go down to 2°C to 12°C (about 36°F to 54°F) with lower temperatures experienced towards the end of the season with winter approaching.
Rainfall
Autumn is another rainy season at Lake Maggiore, with October having the highest rainfall totals for the year at 195 mm. Outside of October, the rainfall totals hit between 141 mm and 175 mm. The average number of days of rain for each month is 12 to 13 days, so visitors can still count on some dry days. The hours of sunshine the area gets each day drops at this time, to 7 to 9 hours each day.
Winter Weather in Lake Maggiore
Considered the off-season for the area, several attractions close during this time of year. But, it shouldn't be count out as a place for a nice Christmas or winter holiday.
Temperature
The temperatures for December, January, and February stay consistent, averaging 2°C to 3°C (about 36°C to 37°C). While cold, it's not so cold that people can't be outside to enjoy winter activities like skiing and hiking. The highs get up to a decent, at least for this time of the year, 6°C to 8°C (around 43°F to 46°F). However, expect lows to drop to -2°C to -3°C (about 27°F to 28°F) and pack accordingly.
Rainfall
The driest time of the year for the area, winter sees precipitation amounts between 62 mm and 79 mm. With the temperatures hovering around freezing, more than likely that amount falls in the form of freezing rain rather than snow. The average number of rainy or snowy days in a month is 11, so visitors get more dry days than wet ones.
Average Sunshine Hours
The sun shines for an average of 7 hours a day at this time of the year, much more than some northern European countries get during the winter.
Weather Hazards
Despite its natural beauty, Lake Maggiore is not immune to weather hazards and natural disasters. The most common hazards include avalanches and flooding. In 1993, heavy rainfall led to massive flooding and in 1999, increased snowfalls lead to avalanches in the area and then spring flooding when the snow melted. That same year, in December, Hurricane Lothar ransacked the area, causing $1.8 billion in damage.
While visitors enjoyed the extended period of hot temperatures and dry days in 2003, the area suffered from a drought that killed many of the crops. Most recently, in 2012, a freak storm came through the area, damaging Villa Taranto's botanical gardens with winds that reached 112 kph (about 70 mph).
Fortunately, disasters like these are rare for the area, and so the chances of one occurring during your visit are small. With some advanced planning and checking the local forecast, you can avoid most weather hazards.