Part of the beautiful island of Sicily, Palermo is a coastal city found on the north side of the island. Thanks to its location in the Mediterranean, the city enjoys a mild coastal climate all year round, with moderate and wet winters and hot and dry summers. Visitors in the summer months appreciate the hot and humid weather for fun beach getaways, and the wintertime for mild temperatures and little rainfall.
Farther inland in the Palermo region, the landscape becomes mountainous, with cooler temperatures around the year and snowfall in the winter. Palermo, which is also part of Italy, acts as the capital city of the Province of Palermo, as well as the capital of Sicily. The Palermo area sits on the Tyrrhenian Sea and visitors flock to the beaches on the coast during the warmer months. Other cities in the Province of Palermo besides Palermo include Noce and Altofonte.
Spring
During the spring months, the temperatures average between 14°C and 19°C (about 57°F to 66°F), very pleasant for getting outside and enjoying the active pursuits popular in the area like hiking and biking. The average highs reach between 16°C and 21°C (around 61°F to 70°F), a pretty big range with the lower temperatures during the early spring quickly rising at the end of the season.
The lows go down to a still-nice 11°C to 16°C (around 52°F to 61°F) during the months of March, April, and May. Typically, you'll only see those temperatures during the evening hours, overnight, and in the early morning. In the early spring, the rain amounts average around 70 mm and continue to drop, with only 30 mm of rain by the end of May. The rain falls over 6 to 9 days in the month, guaranteeing visitors get more sunny days than rainy ones during their visits.
With 6 to 9 hours of sunshine per day, guests have plenty of time to enjoy the resort and the surrounding areas. The sea temperatures during this time of the year average between 15°C and 19°C (about 59°F to 66°F). These temperatures are probably warm enough for only the very brave to take a swim, unless they have the proper wet or dry gear.
Summer is generally the high season in Palermo, with people flocking to the beaches and warm ocean water. But, the resort sees visitors all year round thanks to the mild winters and moderate spring and autumn seasons.
Summer
As the summer months descend on Palermo, the average daily temperatures continue to rise, up to 23°C to 27°C (about 73°F to 81°F). Summer is the high season for tourists, with many taking advantage of the hot air, warm water, and abundant sunshine. These awesome temperatures mean lots of fun in the sun, spending time in the water, and sunbathing on the beaches. The average sea temperatures for June, July, and August average between 23°C and 26°C (around 73°F to 79°F), plenty warm enough for getting in and cooling off from the hot air temperatures.
The average highs go up to 25°C to 29°C (about 77°F to 84°F), getting hot but not unpleasantly balmy. The lows drop down to 20°C to 24°C (around 68°F to 75°F), a great temperature for being outside in the evening, taking in the warm sea breezes. The rain has nearly dropped off completely, with only 10 mm of rain falling on average in each of the three summer months.
The rain only falls over 2 to 3 days, meaning mostly blue skies and amazing weather during summer holidays. During the summer months, visitors enjoy 10 to 11 hours of sunshine each day. The long days allow for ample time to see the sights of the area and still have time left over to spend some time on the beach.
Autumn
The temperatures start to drop off and the rainfall chances increase during the autumn months. Visitors to the Palermo area enjoy average daily temperatures of 17°C to 25°C (about 63°F to 77°F). These are still decent temperatures for this time of the year, especially when compared to other areas in Europe. The lows drop down to 15°C to 22°C (about 59°F to 72°F). Even in the evening and early morning hours, a light sweater or jacket will suffice if you're outdoors.
This time of the year, the highs still get up to 19°C to 27°C (around 66°F to 81°F), with those warmer temperatures in September, dropping down in October and November. As the temperatures are dropping, the rainfall chances are increasing. The area sees between 40 and 130 mm of rain during the autumn months, with November as the rainiest month of the year. The rain falls over 9 to 14 days on average; visitors should check the local forecast each day to see if they'll have rain or not.
Visitors still have plenty of daylight hours each day to get outside and see the sights of the Palermo area. The sun shines between 6 and 8 hours each day on average. Fortunately, the water temperatures are still warm enough during the autumn to go swimming and try water sports. The sea temperatures average 20°C to 25°C (about 68°F to 77°F). Those temperatures are plenty warm when you're in the water, but will feel a little chilly when you get out, as the air temperature matches the water temperature on most days.
Winter
When the winter starts, the temperatures remain consistent, as do the rainfall amounts. During December, January, and February, the Palermo area sees daily average temperatures between 13°C and 14°C (about 55°F to 57°F), very mild for this time of the year, especially when compared to other areas in western Europe. Unfortunately, the daylight hours drop dramatically during the winter, with only 4 to 5 hours of sunshine on average each day.
The lows drop down to 11°C to 12°C (around 52°F to 54°F), very pleasant and more like the spring temperatures seen in the UK. The temperatures don't swing much between high and low, with highs going up to 15°C to 16°C (about 59°F to 61°F). The area very rarely sees frost and typically, snow only falls in the inland mountains. While visitors might not be spending tons of time on the beach during the winter, they can definitely enjoy the decent weather while sightseeing and trying other active pursuits.
The rainfall starts high at the beginning of winter and gradually drops off, with an average of 70 to 110 mm of rain falling each month. Generally, the area has 11 to 17 days of rainfall each month. The average sea temperature is still fairly warm, ranging between 14°C and 17°C (about 57°F to 63°F).
Weather Hazards
Fortunately, Palermo doesn't experience much severe weather or weather hazards. The moderate and temperate Mediterranean climate the area enjoys lends itself to more consistent weather patterns. Occasionally, the resort will see severe thunderstorms that produce flooding and landslides in the mountainous areas. In October 2015, Sicily experience major flooding when over 100 mm fell in less than an hour.