Climate - Palermo (Sicily)

In Palermo, the capital of Sicily, the climate is Mediterranean with very mild, quite rainy winters and hot, sunny summers.
The city is located on the northern coast of Sicily, in an area exposed to the cool mistral wind that blows from Sardinia, but also to the sirocco.
The sirocco, the wind from Africa, is able to raise the temperature by several degrees: it can exceed 20 °C (68 °F) in winter, and can reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F) in summer.
That of Palermo is one of the most exposed areas because the wind comes from the interior (and not directly from the sea as on the southern Sicilian coast), and in addition, there is an effect of air compression due to the fact that the wind comes down from the mountains. In fact, around Palermo, there are mountains about 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) high, while further south are the Sicani mountains, which reach 1,600 meters (5,200 ft).

The average temperature ranges from 12.2 °C (54 °F) in February to 26.8 °C (80.2 °F) in August. Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall amounts to 615 millimeters (24 inches) per year, with a maximum in autumn and winter and a minimum in summer, when it hardly ever rains. Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is mild, and is characterized by sunny periods alternating with rainy periods.
It rarely gets very cold, although there can sometimes be cold, windy, and rainy days, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F).
Very rarely, and especially in the areas of the city located farther from the coast, it may snow. Snowfalls with accumulation occurred in March 1949, February 1956, January 1962, January 1963, January 1981, January 1999 (when the beach also turned white), and New Year's Eve 2014. However, snow tends to last a few hours and to melt quickly, because the temperature, already almost always above freezing, tends to increase further during the day (it is true that the wind in these cases comes from the north, but the sea is quite warm).
The temperature almost never drops below freezing. The coldest record is -1 °C (30 °F), recorded in January 1962. On other occasions, the temperature reached 0 °C (32 °F) in February 1956, 0.5 °C (33 °F) in January 1981, and 1 °C (34 °F) in January 1999.

Summer, from June to August, is hot and sunny, with very rare rains.
Generally, the temperatures are not too high and the breeze blows, however, heatwaves of African origin can sometimes occur: in these cases, it is possible for the temperature to reach or exceed 40 °C (104 °F). The temperature reached 44 °C (111 °F) in late June 1982, 43 °C (109.5 °F) in July 1998, 44 °C (111 °F) in late June 2007, 42 °C (107.5 °F) in August 1999, and 41.5 °C (106.5) in mid-June 2016. In 2020, the temperature reached 40 °C (104 °F) even in May, and 38.3 °C (101 °F) in October. When the sirocco blows at night, the temperature can remain around 30 °C (86 °F), and sometimes not only in summer. For example, on October 14, 1993, the minimum was 31 °C (88 °F).



The amount of sunshine in Palermo is great in summer, when clear skies prevail; in winter, sunny periods alternate with periods of bad weather, with rain, wind and thunderstorms. On average, there are about 2,700 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea in Palermo is warm enough for swimming from July to September. In June, the sea is still a little cool, while in October, after the summer, the water temperature is still decent, around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F): in days of fine weather, perhaps with the sirocco, locals go to the beach of Mondello. Here is the average sea temperature.

Best Time

The best time to visit Palermo for a beach holiday is the summer, from June to August. The sea temperature is comfortable enough from July to September, although in September, which in any case is still a good month (especially in the first half), the first periods of bad weather can occur.
To visit the city you can choose spring, in April and May, and the beginning of autumn, from mid-September to mid-October.

Back to Sicily.

Palermo - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the weather in Palermo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.4 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.5 °C (49.1 °F) and a maximum of 15.4 °C (59.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it reached 25.2 °C (77.4 °F) in January 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (59 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In February, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Palermo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 9.1 °C (48.4 °F) and a maximum of 15.3 °C (59.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in February 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21 °C (70 °F). However, it reached 26.9 °C (80.4 °F) in February 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 46% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Palermo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 17.1 °C (62.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (42.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78.5 °F). However, it reached 34.6 °C (94.3 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 62%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 14.5 °C (58 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Palermo is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 15.8 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 12.3 °C (54.1 °F) and a maximum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in April 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in April 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Palermo is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.4 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (53.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in May 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 39.9 °C (103.8 °F) in May 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18.5 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Palermo is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.3 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12.4 °C (54.3 °F) in June 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 35 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 44.2 °C (111.6 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 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 67% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22 °C (72 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.

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In July, the weather in Palermo is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F) and a maximum of 29.5 °C (85.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18.4 °C (65.1 °F) in July 1992.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 43.6 °C (110.5 °F) in July 1998.
Precipitation amounts to only 5 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 76% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In August, the hottest month of the year, the weather in Palermo is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F) and a maximum of 30.3 °C (86.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). However, it dropped to 18.7 °C (65.7 °F) in August 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36 °C (97 °F). However, it reached 45.2 °C (113.4 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 10 mm (0.4 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 55%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is pleasantly warm and allows long swims.

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In September, the weather in Palermo is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F) and a maximum of 27.4 °C (81.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 17 °C (62.5 °F). However, it dropped to 14.2 °C (57.6 °F) in September 2004.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33.5 °C (92.5 °F). However, it reached 38.2 °C (100.8 °F) in September 2000.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25 °C (77 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Palermo is usually warm. The average temperature is of 20.9 °C (70 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.3 °C (75.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 8.8 °C (47.8 °F) in October 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 37.5 °C (99.5 °F) in October 2020.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 63% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Palermo is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.2 °C (63 °F), with a minimum of 14 °C (57.2 °F) and a maximum of 20.4 °C (68.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.2 °C (41.4 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 30.4 °C (86.7 °F) in November 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 65%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Palermo is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.8 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 11 °C (51.8 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (44 °F). However, it dropped to 2.2 °C (36 °F) in December 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (72 °F). However, it reached 26.7 °C (80.1 °F) in December 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (62 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.