Weather in Florence

Find out what weather awaits you in Florence. This section provides up-to-date information, forecasts, and weather charts for your convenience.

Florence, located in the picturesque Tuscany region of Italy, is characterized by a temperate climate with clearly defined seasons. Travellers can expect hot and predominantly sunny summers, which give way to mild and wetter winters. Spring and autumn gift the city with comfortable temperatures, creating ideal conditions for leisurely walks and exploring its countless treasures.

The summer months, especially July and August, are the warmest: the average air temperature is around 24°C, and daytime highs often reach 29°C. Precipitation is minimal during this time, making summer an excellent period for those who love the sun. Winter in Florence (December-February) is quite mild, with an average temperature of about 5-6°C. Although the total amount of precipitation remains low, it is the winter months, as well as November and May, that account for the highest number of days with precipitation.

Spring (March-May) brings gradual warming and the blossoming of nature, while autumn (September-November) paints the city in warm tones and delights with pleasant coolness after the summer heat. These transitional seasons are often considered optimal for visiting Florence. However, it is worth noting that May, along with November and December, can be one of the months with the highest number of rainy days, despite the moderate total amount of rainfall. Overall, Florence is hospitable to tourists almost all year round, allowing everyone to choose the most comfortable season for travel.

The temperature regime in Florence demonstrates notable seasonal changes throughout the year. The annual range of average temperatures extends from a cool 4.9°C in January to a hot 24.0°C in August. The coldest months are traditionally January and December. In January, the average minimum temperature drops to 1.4°C, and the average maximum is 8.4°C. December is slightly warmer: average minimum 2.7°C and maximum 9.3°C. Conversely, the peak heat occurs in July and August. In these summer months, the average temperature holds at 23.9-24.0°C, and daytime highs regularly reach 29.3-29.4°C, creating conditions for a true Mediterranean summer.

Summer in Florence is characterized as hot, especially during the daytime hours. Average monthly maximum temperatures in June, July, and August vary from 26.0°C to 29.4°C. Nights bring some relief: minimum temperatures in the summer period fluctuate from 15.6°C in June to 18.7°C in August. This indicates noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations, especially at the height of summer, when the difference between the daily maximum and nightly minimum can reach and even exceed 10°C (for example, 10.8°C in July). Winter, in turn, is quite mild. Average daytime temperatures in December-February are in the range of 8.4°C - 10.6°C, while night temperatures drop to 1.4°C - 2.7°C. Although frosts are possible at such minimum temperatures, severe and prolonged freezes are atypical for Florence. Diurnal temperature fluctuations in winter are less pronounced than in summer, averaging from 6.6°C to 8.5°C.

In Florence, precipitation is distributed unevenly throughout the year, while the total amount remains quite low. The most pronounced dry period is summer: July and August are the driest months, when only 1 mm of precipitation falls, and the number of rainy days is minimal (5-7 days). June is also distinguished by a small amount of precipitation (2 mm) and approximately 8 days with rain.

Despite the generally small amount of precipitation, some months stand out with a higher frequency of rain. Thus, May is the leader in the number of rainy days — on average 16 days. It is followed by December (14 days) and November (13 days). Remarkably, even in these most "humid" months in terms of frequency, the maximum average monthly rainfall is only 4 mm. This suggests that precipitation in Florence most often takes the character of light, short-lived rain or drizzle, rather than heavy downpours.

Spring months, such as April, and autumn ones – September and October – represent a transitional period with a moderate probability of precipitation: on average 10-12 rainy days and 2-3 mm of precipitation per month. Winter (January, February) also brings about 9-10 days with precipitation, with a total amount of 2-3 mm. Thus, although Florence is not characterized by a season of prolonged rains, a light umbrella or raincoat may come in handy, especially if your trip is planned for late spring or the period from November to December, when the probability of encountering overcast weather is higher.

When planning a trip to Florence, it is important to choose the right wardrobe to feel comfortable in any weather. Given the hot summer and mild winter, your suitcase will differ noticeably depending on the season. In summer (June-August), when the average temperature reaches 24°C, and during the day it can be as high as 29°C, preference should be given to light, breathable clothing made from natural fabrics, sunglasses, a hat, and definitely a high SPF cream. Evenings can be slightly cooler, so a light sweater or cardigan will not go amiss. In winter (December-February), the average temperature hovers around 5-6°C, so warm items such as sweaters, a jacket (possibly waterproof, as there are up to 14 rainy days in December), a scarf, and gloves will be very useful. Regardless of the season, comfortable shoes for long walks on cobblestones are an absolute necessity.

Spring and autumn in Florence are times of changeable weather, so the principle of layering in clothing is especially relevant here. In spring (March-May), the temperature gradually rises, but May can be quite rainy (up to 16 days with precipitation), so a light jacket or trench coat and a compact umbrella will be very useful. In autumn (September-November), the weather also pleases with comfortable temperatures, but the number of rainy days increases towards November (up to 13 days). Therefore, it is worth taking both light items for warm days and warmer ones for cool evenings and rainy weather – for example, jumpers, cardigans, and a windbreaker. The small amount of precipitation in most months (2-4 mm) indicates that heavy downpours are rare, but it is worth being prepared for drizzle.

In general, for a trip to Florence, it is recommended to bring: comfortable walking shoes, clothing that can be combined (layering principle), a light scarf (useful for visiting churches where shoulders must be covered), and, depending on the season, sun protection products or a compact umbrella/raincoat. An adapter for electrical appliances may also be needed. By thinking through your wardrobe in advance, you will be able to enjoy the beauties of Italy without unnecessary worries.