Where Is Sicily?
Sicily enjoys a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and warm, rainy winters. The island is volcanic, home to one of the world's tallest and most active volcanoes: Mount Etna. It's also home to a couple of fascinating old cities: Palermo and Catania.
The island's rugged, mountainous terrain gives rise to great regional variations in climate, all, of course, depending on altitude and the protection they provide from northwest prevailing winds.
The southeastern regions are generally drier and warmer than the northwestern, and the southeastern coast is usually calmer. Higher areas have cooler temperatures and receive more rainfall year round.
Sicily is the largest region of Italy and sits at the southwest tip of the boot-shaped mainland in the Mediterranean Sea. It is surrounded by a number of much smaller islands.
Climate In Sicily
The constant warmth of Sicily and its low, yet not absent rainfall creates the perfect conditions for the growing of citrus fruits. The hillsides are cloaked in green for much of the year and lemon and orange groves stripe the lowlands.
Citrus flavours add a tang to many traditional Sicilian dishes. Sicily has passed through the hands of many cultures; for example Greek and Arab influences are to be seen in Sicilian design and cuisine.
Summer Weather in Sicily
Is Summer Hot In Sicily?
Summer, from June through September, is hot and dry with plenty of sunshine. The average high temperature is already at 23°C in June and then rises to 26°C in July and August before dropping to 24°C in September.
Nights are also very warm, the average low temperatures ranging from 15°C to 19°C. The heat in the peak summer months of July and August can be a little bit uncomfortable, but a dip in the warm sea or a trip up into the green hills provide instant relief.
How Warm Is The Sea In Sicily In Summer?
The water temperature gets up to 27°C in August, which is more than comfortable enough for everyone to swim. In July and September, the Mediterranean Sea isa balmy 25°.
Clouds generally avoid the coast, allowing around 13 to 14 glorious hours of sunshine per day for most of the season; September is slightly cloudier, but still has 11 hours of sunshine.
How Much Rain Does Sicily Get In Summer?
Rainfall is exceptionally rare, falling only briefly in the hills. June and July are the driest months in the year, receiving only 10mm in each month. August gets 17mm of precipitation, while September's 28mm indicates the weather is moving towards the wetter autumn and winter seasons.
Intense Heat and SIrocco WInds
Southwestern areas are sometimes terrorised by spells of intense heat and aridity when the sirocco wind blows up from the Sahara. The sirocco can sometimes carry sand with it, covering large areas in dust and veiling the sky in a thin haze.
Autumn Weather in Sicily
Autumn generally falls in October and November and experiences a continuation of the gorgeous weather. Summer warmth continues into October with average highs in the low 20s. It only drops below 20°C in mid-November, though the odd cool day may occur throughout the season.
The average temperature is 17°C in October and 13°C in November but ranges tremendously depending on whether you're in the mountains or at the coast.
How Much Rain Does Sicily Get In Autumn?
Rain increases greatly in autumn, although it remains a season with relatively low rainfall, especially when compared to countries in northern Europe. October gets about 48mm of rain, while November receives 67mm.
Despite the increasing rainfall, these brief showers still leave nine hours of sunshine a day in October and eight in November.
Autumn Sea Temperature
The sea remains warm enough for swimming till the very end of the season, staying above 20°C. Higher above the coastline lower temperatures bring the beginning of the winter snowfall. Mount Etna is often snow-capped by the end of November when the ski season starts.
Winter Weather in Sicily
Winter, from December through February, is mild and unpredictable. It is a great time for walking holidays in the low hills and even skiing higher up.
How Cold Does It Get In Sicily?
The average high temperature lingers around 12°C to 13°C for most of the season with average lows falling to 5°C.
It tends not to get anywhere near freezing around the coast, but higher up in the mountains frost occurs throughout the season and snow settles on the peaks.
Ski Season In Sicily
The ski season on Mount Etna lasts from November to March; skiers often base themselves in Taormina. On average, the daily temperature in winter averages 9°C to 10°C.
Which Is The Wettest Month In Sicily?
This is the wettest time of year; rain falls quite frequently but is generally also quite light. December is the wettest month of the year, receiving a total amount of rainfall of 79mm. November and January are close seconds.
How Much Sunshine Does Sicily Get In Winter?
Sunshine levels are very good for winter with seven to eight hours on average each day. This is a spectacularly high number considering how dark and cloudy winter tends to be in more northerly parts of Europe.
Spring Weather in Sicily
Spring lasts from March through May and is warm and sunny. The average high temperature creeps to 13°C in March, 16°C in April and up to 19°C in May. By mid-April, T-shirt weather is the norm and early in May bikini days resume.
Nights, however, remain chilly until late-May. The average temperature in Sicily in spring rises from 10°C in March to 15°C in May.
Does It Rain A Lot In Spring In Sicily?
Rain decreases again, slowly, and the sun becomes a regular fixture in the clear sky. Monthly precipitation amounts between 14mm and 35mm can be expected in spring.
As rainfall decreases, this brings less cloud cover, which, in turn, allows for more sunshine. While March has nine hours of sunshine per day on average, May has a gloriously high 12 sunshine hours.
Sea Temperature In Spring
However, despite these warming temperatures and increase in sunshine hours, the sea isn't yet warm enough for swimming and the wind can be quite chilly.
The Mediterranean Sea warms up to an average of 19°C in May. Snow on the mountains melts in March, marking the end of the ski season and the start of the touristy seaside season.