Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
In
Pantelleria, a volcanic island located between Sicily and Tunisia, the climate is
Mediterranean: winters are mild and relatively rainy, with sunny periods, but also waves of bad weather characterized by wind and rain, while summers are hot and sunny, a bit stuffy but tempered by the breeze.
Although the temperature is generally mild, the
wind, which blows especially in the cold half of the year, can increase the feeling of cold; in particular, the "maestrale" (north-west wind) often blows from Sardinia, but there is also the sirocco (southeast wind), which blows from Africa and can bring the desert sand.
Rainfall is not abundant, in fact, it is around 500 millimeters (20 inches) per year, with a peak of 90 mm (3.5 in) in November, and a very pronounced minimum in summer, with less than 5 mm (0.2 in) from June to August. In spring, by May, there is already little rain.
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).
Owing to the southern position of the island, cold waves from the continent are rare, and in any case, they do not last long. In practice, the temperature never drops below freezing: it dropped to 0.4 °C (32.7 °F) in February 1956, to 1 °C (34 °F) in January 1981, and to 0.6 °C (33 °F) in New Year's Eve 2014.
In the interior, there are elevations, which reach 836 meters (2,743 feet) in the
Montagna Grande ("Big Mountain"). While at sea level it almost never snows (the last snowfall with accumulation occurred in January 1981), it can sometimes snow at higher altitudes.
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).
Due to its proximity to Tunisia, the island is exposed to the wind from Africa, which can bring very high temperatures for a few days, even at night: the minimum can in fact remain around 30 °C (86 °F). On 24 July 2023, the minimum was 35 °C (95 °F). The heat records are 42.6 °C (108.7 F), set in late June 2007, and 42.9 °C (109.2), set in July 1962.
The
amount of sunshine in Pantelleria is excellent in summer, when clear skies prevail, even though at times the sky can be veiled by high and stratified clouds coming from Africa. In winter, sunny periods, which can occur in this season as well, alternate with cloudy periods.
In Pantelleria, there are no beaches (except on the shores of the inland lake called "Mirror of Venus"), since the island is of volcanic origin: the coast is formed by cliffs overlooking the sea and caves, or by small bays where you can sunbathe, such as
Bue Marino and
Balata dei Turchi.
The
sea in Pantelleria is warm enough for swimming from July to September, as usually happens in the southern Italian seas. In June, the sea is still a little cool, while in October, the water temperature is still decent, around 23 °C (73 °F).
Best Time
The
best time to go to Pantelleria for a holiday at the beach, is the summer, from June to August. The sea temperature is comfortable enough from July to September, although by September, which overall is still a good month (especially in the first half), the first disturbances begin to occur (although more rarely than in peninsular Italy because of the low latitude). In June, as I said, the sea is still a little cool, while in May, it is still cold, and sometimes the air can be a bit cool for sunbathing as well (perhaps because of the wind).
April and May are ideal months for hiking, while in summer, it can sometimes be too hot for outdoor activities (especially in July and August: in June and September, the heat is usually pleasant or at least bearable, obviously, when the sirocco does not blow). In October, temperatures are mild, but the days are shorter and the weather can be rainy and windy.
The following data was collected at the airport, which is located at 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level.
Pantelleria - Climate data
In Pantelleria, the
average temperature of the coldest month (February) is of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F), that of the warmest month (August) is of 26.8 °C (80.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Pantelleria - Average temperatures (1991-2020) Month | Min (°C) | Max (°C) | Mean (°C) | Min (°F) | Max (°F) | Mean (°F) |
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January | 10.5 | 13.9 | 12.2 | 51 | 57 | 54 |
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February | 9.9 | 13.8 | 11.8 | 50 | 57 | 53.3 |
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March | 11.3 | 15.8 | 13.6 | 52 | 60 | 56.4 |
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April | 12.9 | 18 | 15.4 | 55 | 64 | 59.8 |
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May | 15.9 | 22 | 19 | 61 | 72 | 66.1 |
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June | 19.7 | 26.1 | 22.9 | 67 | 79 | 73.2 |
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July | 22.5 | 28.6 | 25.5 | 72 | 83 | 78 |
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August | 23.8 | 29.8 | 26.8 | 75 | 86 | 80.2 |
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September | 21.4 | 26.5 | 23.9 | 70 | 80 | 75.1 |
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October | 18.4 | 23 | 20.7 | 65 | 73 | 69.3 |
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November | 14.8 | 18.9 | 16.8 | 59 | 66 | 62.3 |
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December | 11.8 | 15.2 | 13.5 | 53 | 59 | 56.3 |
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Year | 16.1 | 21 | 18.5 | 61 | 69.8 | 65.5 |
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Precipitation amounts to 500 millimeters (19.7 inches) per year: it is therefore quite scarce. It ranges from 2 mm (0.1 in) in the driest month (July) to 90 mm (3.5 in) in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.
Pantelleria - Average precipitationMonth | Millimeters | Inches | Days |
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January | 75 | 3 | 9 |
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February | 50 | 2 | 8 |
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March | 40 | 1.6 | 6 |
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April | 35 | 1.4 | 5 |
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May | 15 | 0.6 | 3 |
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June | 4 | 0.2 | 1 |
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July | 2 | 0.1 | 0 |
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August | 4 | 0.2 | 1 |
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September | 50 | 2 | 3 |
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October | 70 | 2.8 | 7 |
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November | 90 | 3.5 | 8 |
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December | 70 | 2.8 | 8 |
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Year | 500 | 19.8 | 59 |
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The
sea temperature ranges from 15 °C (59 °F) in February, March to
Pantelleria - Sea temperatureMonth | Celsius (°C) | Fahrenheit (°F) |
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January | 15.5 | 60 | February | 15 | 59 | March | 15 | 59 | April | 16 | 60 | May | 18 | 65 | June | 21.5 | 71 | July | 24.5 | 76 | August | 26 | 79 | September | 25.5 | 78 | October | 23.5 | 74 | November | 20.5 | 69 | December | 17.5 | 63 | Year | 19.9 | 67.8 |
There are on average around 2545
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Pantelleria - Sunshine hoursMonth | Average | Total |
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January | 4 | 125 | February | 5 | 140 | March | 6 | 185 | April | 7 | 205 | May | 8.5 | 255 | June | 9.5 | 280 | July | 10.5 | 320 | August | 10 | 310 | September | 8 | 235 | October | 6.5 | 200 | November | 5 | 155 | December | 4 | 125 | Year | 7 | 2545 |
Pantelleria - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.2 °C (54 °F), with a minimum of 10.5 °C (50.9 °F) and a maximum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 2.4 °C (36.3 °F) in January 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in January 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15.5 °C (60 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
February, the coldest month of the year, is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 11.8 °C (53 °F), with a minimum of 9.9 °C (49.8 °F) and a maximum of 13.8 °C (56.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6 °C (43 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in February 1999.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 26 °C (78.8 °F) in February 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.8 °C (60.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in March 1993.
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 30.6 °C (87.1 °F) in March 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 6 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 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 23 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 15 °C (58.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
April is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 15.4 °C (60 °F), with a minimum of 12.9 °C (55.2 °F) and a maximum of 18 °C (64.4 °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 7 °C (44.6 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 25.5 °C (78 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in April 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16 °C (60.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
May is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 19 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °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 8 °C (46.4 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30 °C (86 °F). However, it reached 39.4 °C (102.9 °F) in May 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 15 mm (0.6 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 59% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 20 kph (12 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (65 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
June is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.9 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 19.7 °C (67.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.1 °C (79.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 13.3 °C (55.9 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 42.6 °C (108.7 °F) in June 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 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 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 64% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 21.5 °C (70.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 25.5 °C (78 °F), with a minimum of 22.5 °C (72.4 °F) and a maximum of 28.6 °C (83.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 18 °C (65 °F). However, it dropped to 16.2 °C (61.2 °F) in July 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 37 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41.4 °C (106.5 °F) in July 2007.
Precipitation amounts to only 2 mm (0.1 in), distributed over 0 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 10.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 72% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 26.8 °C (80 °F), with a minimum of 23.8 °C (74.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.8 °C (85.6 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 20.5 °C (69 °F). However, it dropped to 19 °C (66.2 °F) in August 2007.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 36.5 °C (98 °F). However, it reached 41.8 °C (107.2 °F) in August 1999.
Precipitation amounts to only 4 mm (0.2 in), and all occurs in one day.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (10 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (79 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
September is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 21.4 °C (70.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.5 °C (79.8 °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 12 °C (53.6 °F) in September 1992.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (91 °F). However, it reached 39 °C (102.2 °F) in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 3 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 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 17 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 25.5 °C (77.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.7 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 18.4 °C (65 °F) and a maximum of 23 °C (73.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15.5 °C (59.5 °F). However, it dropped to 12 °C (53.6 °F) in October 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28.5 °C (83.5 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in October 1999.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 58% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 18 kph (11 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23.5 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.
November is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 14.8 °C (58.7 °F) and a maximum of 18.9 °C (66 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10.5 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6.4 °C (43.5 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 28 °C (82.4 °F) in November 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 21 kph (13 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 20.5 °C (68.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.5 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 11.8 °C (53.3 °F) and a maximum of 15.2 °C (59.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) in December 2014.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 25.4 °C (77.7 °F) in December 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 40 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 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 22 kph (14 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.