Weather and climate in Florence (Tuscany)

The climate of Florence, the capital of the Italian region of Tuscany, is generally mild, and can be defined as transitional Mediterranean, with relatively mild winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located in central Italy, on the Tyrrhenian side, but it is also located in a valley and at some distance from the sea, so the climate is slightly more continental than in coastal areas.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is 6.5 °C (44 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is 25.5 °C (78 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

The rainfall pattern deviates slightly from the Mediterranean one, since there is a minimum in summer but not pronounced (sometimes, there can be some rains even in this season, maybe in the form of downpours or thunderstorms). In addition, the rains in spring slightly increase in comparison with winter, instead of decreasing. Autumn is the wettest season. In an average year, about 870 millimeters (34 inches) of rain fall. Here is the average precipitation.

The amount of sunshine in Florence is very good in summer, from June to August, while from November to March, the sun is not very frequent because weather disturbances arrive quite frequently, although some sunny days can occur in every season. On average, there are around 2,400 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Winter, from December to February, is quite mild. However, it can be more or less cold, depending on weather situation. On sunny days, the night temperature often approaches freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and there can be some morning fogs.
On the contrary, when the southern currents prevail, the weather becomes milder, though cloudy and often rainy: in these cases, the temperature can reach or exceed 15 °C (59 °F) even in winter.
On the other hand, in other situations, the north wind, called tramontana, can bring some cold and windy days, and some frosts at night.
Snow in Florence is rare. Sometimes a short snowfall can be observed, but snowfalls with accumulation occur once every few years. In recent decades, after the historic snowfall of January 1985, when the snow height reached 40 centimeters (16 inches), snowfalls occurred in March 1987 (12 cm or 4.7 in), in December 2005 (11 cm or 4.3 in), in December 2009 (15 cm or 6 in), and in December 2010 (30 cm or 12 in).
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -5/-6 °C (21/23 °F), but during the most intense cold spells, it can drop to lower values. At the airport, the temperature dropped to -11.5 °C (11.5 °F) in February 1956, to -10 °C (14 °F) in January 1963, to -13 °C (8.5 °F) in January 1968, to -9.5 °C (15 °F) in February 1991, and to -10 °C (14 °F) in December 2005. However, during the exceptional cold spell of January 1985, the cold record was clearly broken for three days in a row: -16 °C, -22 °C and -23 °C (3 °F, -7.5 °F and -9.5 °F), and the Arno river froze. It was a very rare phenomenon, with a return period of more than a century.



Spring, from March to May, is mild and gradually more sunny, but it is also quite rainy. The month of March and the first half of April are unstable periods, when mild and sunny days alternate with rainy and cold days, still quite wintery. By the second half of April, and especially by May, the temperature becomes pleasant in a more constant way, but some rainy periods are still possible.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny. Every now and then, some afternoon thunderstorms may occur, and more rarely, even some cool and rainy days, especially in June and in the second half of August. When the weather is fine (and this happens very often), daytime temperatures are high because of both the distance from the sea and the location in a valley; in fact, Florence is often one of the hottest cities in Italy. Every year, there are days with maximum temperatures around 36/38 °C (97/100 °F), but sometimes, they can reach as high as 40 °C (104 °F). Fortunately, the humidity is not very high, and at night, the temperature becomes almost always acceptable.
The highest recordes temperature, 42.5 °C (108.5 °F) was recorded in July 1983. Later, the temperature reached 41 °C (106 °F) on some occasions (August 2003, August 2017, August 2021, June 2022, August 2023). In the summer of 2003, the temperature reached or exceeded 35 °C (95 °F) 12 times in June, 15 times in July and 21 times in August. In July 2022, the average maximum temperature was 36.6 °C (97.9 °F).

Autumn, from September to November, is initially warm and pleasant, dry and bright, but it quickly becomes quite rainy, and in fact, it is the wettest season, especially in October and November. Sometimes, the rains are abundant.

Best Time

The best times to visit Florence are from mid-April to mid-June, and in the month of September: there are many fine days, with pleasantly warm weather and cool evenings. There will be, however, also some rainy days. Those who can stand the heat can also choose July and August. For safety, it will be useful a sweatshirt for the evening also in midsummer.

Florence - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.7 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.3 °C (17.1 °F) in January 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it reached 21.6 °C (70.9 °F) in January 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.7 °C (46 °F), with a minimum of 2.6 °C (36.7 °F) and a maximum of 12.7 °C (54.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.4 °C (15.1 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in February 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 10.8 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 16.3 °C (61.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30 °F). However, it dropped to -6.3 °C (20.7 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in March 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 14.0 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 20 °C (67.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.3 °C (88.3 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 24.5 °C (76.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in May 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) and a maximum of 29.1 °C (84.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it dropped to 6.2 °C (43.2 °F) in June 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (95.5 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 65% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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July is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.4 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 18.5 °C (65.3 °F) and a maximum of 32.3 °C (90.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 11.7 °C (53.1 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37.5 °C (99.5 °F). However, it reached 40.2 °C (104.4 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 73% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 25.6 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) and a maximum of 32.6 °C (90.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57 °F). However, it dropped to 9.6 °C (49.3 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (99 °F). However, it reached 41.3 °C (106.3 °F) in August 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.0 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 15 °C (58.9 °F) and a maximum of 27.1 °C (80.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4 °C (39.2 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 36.4 °C (97.5 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (5 mph).

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October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.4 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.2 °C (52.1 °F) and a maximum of 21.6 °C (71 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in October 2012.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31.7 °C (89.1 °F) in October 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 105 mm (4.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.3 °C (52 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.7 °C (60.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -1 °C (30.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.8 °C (25.2 °F) in November 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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December is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 7.1 °C (45 °F), with a minimum of 2.8 °C (37.1 °F) and a maximum of 11.5 °C (52.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (23.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10 °C (14 °F) in December 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). However, it reached 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).