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Average weather, temperature, rainfall, sunshine hours
The climate of Rome, the capital of Italy, is
Mediterranean, though with some slight elements of continentality. Winter is mild and quite rainy, but it can get cold at night; summer is hot and sunny, with a few afternoon thunderstorms.
The city is located in central Italy, on a plain, and about 25 km (15 mi) from the Tyrrhenian Sea.
Precipitation amounts to about 750 millimeters (30 inches) per year; the wettest season is autumn, followed by winter. In spring, there is a certain increase in rainfall in April compared with the previous months.
Winter, from December to February, is mild.
There is a moderate amount of sunny days, which can be mild, with highs around 12/15 °C (54/59 °F), but it often gets cold at night, with lows around freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) or slightly above. Cloudy periods, accompanied by wind and rain, are milder, especially at night, both because of the southern wind, which usually blows in periods of bad weather, and of cloud cover, which is able to prevent nocturnal cooling.
In early December, autumn-like weather can still prevail, with mild temperatures, above 15 °C (59 °F), and abundant rainfall. In the second half of February, during some years, the first spring-like days can already occur.
The wind from the north, the
tramontana, brings cold and sunny days, with highs below 10 °C (50 °F) and possible light frosts at night. Sometimes, there can be particularly cold days, in which the maximum remains around 3/4 °C (37/39 °F) despite the sun.
On the coldest nights of the year, the temperature typically drops to -2/-4 °C (25/28 °F), but can sometimes drop lower. This is especially the case in the countryside, while within the city, owing to the so-called "urban heat island effect", frosts are more rare.
At Ciampino airport, the
cold record, -11 °C (12 °F), was registered in January 1985. But if we exclude this exceptional event (in which the snow remained on the ground for a week due to the continuous frosts), the temperature never dropped below -10 °C (14 °F). In fact, it dropped to -7 °C (19.5 °F) in February 1956, to -7.5 °C (18.5 °F) in January 1963, to -8.5 °C (16.5 °F) in January 1968, to -6 °C (21 °F) in January 1979 and in January 1981, to -7 °C (19.5 °F) in January 1987 and in January 1993, and to -6 °C (21 °F) in December 2010 and in late February 2018.
Snow in Rome is a very rare phenomenon, which occurs once every few years because, as we mentioned, cold periods are usually sunny. Sometimes, however, quite heavy snowfalls may occur, from 10 to 40 cm (4 to 16 in), as happened in December 1939, February 1956, February 1965, March 1971, January 1985, February 1986, February 2012 and late February 2018.
Spring is a mild and relatively rainy season. In March, the first spring days, with highs around 18/20 °C (64/68 °F), alternate with some colder days. The temperature often remains cool enough until mid-April, when highs remain around 15/17 °C (59/63 °F). At Easter, the weather is usually variable, with sunshine and rain, and sometimes even a bit of cold.
By the second half of April, nice days, with 20 °C (68 °F) or more during the day, become more frequent, and this happens normally in May. In May, the italian capital is in bloom, and in the first warm days, the sea breeze cools down the air in the afternoon. Sometimes, however, in the first half of the month, it can still be cool, with some rain and a bit of cold at night.
Summer, from June to August, is
hot and sunny; clear days are the norm, especially in July and August. Some rare thunderstorms can occur in the afternoon, especially in the northern and eastern neighbourhoods of the city, which are more distant from the sea.
The afternoon
breeze, called "ponentino" ("little west wind"), tempers a little the heat, but it's felt especially in the southern and western districts, which are closer to the sea, while it reaches with some difficulty the center and the most densely populated areas. Because of the "urban heat island effect", the night temperature is a few degrees higher than in the countryside, and in the city center, it often remains above 20 °C (68 °F). Nights are often sultry.
On
hotter days, the temperature easily reaches 34/35 °C (93/95 °F), and every year, it reaches 37/38 °C (99/100 °F), at least for a few days.
At Ciampino airport, the highest record, 41 °C (106 °F), was set in August 1981. On other occasions, the temperature reached 39/40 °C (102/104 °F).
It goes better on the Roman coast, where the daytime temperature is usually a few degrees lower than in the city proper.
Autumn, from September to November, is mild and humid; in this season, sunny days alternate with periods of cloudy skies and
rain, which gradually become more frequent. In autumn, the southerly winds dominate, either the
libeccio, which blows from the south-west, or the
scirocco, which blows from the south-east. During the night, thunderstorms can erupt, at times intense.
There is still a moderate amount of sunny days, at least in the first part; the nice and almost summer-like days occurring in October are called
ottobrate, and are frequent especially in the first half of the month, with highs around 23/25 °C (73/77 °F), while the
scirocco can raise the temperature to 28/30 °C (82/86 °F) even in the first half of October.
In November, the rains are frequent and the temperature decreases quite rapidly: at the beginning of the month, the temperature is often very mild, around 20 °C (68 °F); in the middle of the month, it drops to around 15/17 °C (59/63 °F), while at the end of the month, the weather is by now often similar to that of winter.
On average, the amount of
sunshine in Rome is good: clear days are always possible, however, especially in the cold semester, they alternate with cloudy and rainy periods.
In spring, sunshine gradually increases, and becomes frequent in May. In summer, the sky is almost always clear, especially in July and August. In autumn, Atlantic or Mediterranean depressions become gradually more frequent, and November is often a gray and cloudy month. On average there are 2,600 hours of sunshine per year.
On the Roman coast (Ostia, Fregene, Fiumicino, Santa Marinella etc.), the
sea is warm enough for swimming from July to September, while in June, it is still a bit cool.
Best Time
The
best times to visit Rome are spring and autumn, ie from mid-April to mid-June and from September to early October. In June, the weather is often nice, but it can sometimes be hot, especially in the second half of the month. Until early May, some days can still be a bit cool and windy, and in September and October, it can rain.
In mid-summer, in July and August, the weather is usually sunny, but it can be very hot. However, tourists flock to the city, and those who stand the heat can choose this period as well, keeping in mind that there's a lot to walk in the extensive historic center of the Eternal City.
The following data was collected at Ciampino airport.
Rome - Climate data
In Rome, the
average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of
7.7 °C, that of the warmest month (August) is of
25.6 °C. Here are the average temperatures.
Rome - Average temperatures (1991-2020) |
| Month | Min | Max | Mean |
|---|
| January | 3.5 | 11.9 | 7.7 |
|---|
| February | 3.8 | 13 | 8.4 |
|---|
| March | 6 | 15.7 | 10.9 |
|---|
| April | 8.8 | 18.8 | 13.8 |
|---|
| May | 12.6 | 23.3 | 17.9 |
|---|
| June | 16.8 | 28 | 22.4 |
|---|
| July | 19.4 | 31 | 25.2 |
|---|
| August | 19.8 | 31.4 | 25.6 |
|---|
| September | 16.1 | 26.5 | 21.3 |
|---|
| October | 12.6 | 22 | 17.3 |
|---|
| November | 8.6 | 16.8 | 12.7 |
|---|
| December | 4.7 | 12.8 | 8.7 |
|---|
| Year | 11.1 | 21 | 16 |
|---|
amounts to
750 millimeters per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from
19.8 millimeters in the driest month (July) to
108.2 millimeters in the wettest one (November). Here is the average precipitation.
Rome - Average precipitation| Month | Days |
|---|
| January | 66 | 7 |
|---|
| February | 63 | 7 |
|---|
| March | 59 | 7 |
|---|
| April | 69 | 7 |
|---|
| May | 57 | 6 |
|---|
| June | 30 | 3 |
|---|
| July | 20 | 2 |
|---|
| August | 30 | 2 |
|---|
| September | 65 | 6 |
|---|
| October | 88 | 7 |
|---|
| November | 108 | 9 |
|---|
| December | 98 | 9 |
|---|
| Year | 750 | 74 |
|---|
The
sea temperature ranges from
14 °C in February to
26 °C in August. Here are the average sea temperatures.
Rome - Sea temperature| Month |
|---|
| January | 15 |
|---|
| February | 14 |
|---|
| March | 14.5 |
|---|
| April | 15.5 |
|---|
| May | 18.5 |
|---|
| June | 22 |
|---|
| July | 25 |
|---|
| August | 26 |
|---|
| September | 24.5 |
|---|
| October | 21.5 |
|---|
| November | 19"> |
|---|
| December | 16.5 |
|---|
| Year | 19.4 |
|---|
There are on average around 2615
sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.
Rome - Sunshine hours| Month | Average | Total |
|---|
| January | 4.5 | 135 |
|---|
| February | 5.5 | 155 |
|---|
| March | 6 | 190 |
|---|
| April | 7 | 210 |
|---|
| May | 9 | 275 |
|---|
| June | 10 | 300 |
|---|
| July | 11 | 345 |
|---|
| August | 10 | 315 |
|---|
| September | 8 | 235 |
|---|
| October | 6.5 | 200 |
|---|
| November | 4.5 | 140 |
|---|
| December | 4 | 120 |
|---|
| Year | 7.2 | 2615 |
|---|
Rome - Weather by month
Based on the period 1991-2020
January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
7.7 °C, with a minimum of
3.5 °C and a maximum of
11.9 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-2 °C. However, it dropped to
-6.8 °C in January 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
16 °C. However, it reached
20 °C in January 2018.
Precipitation amounts to
65.6 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 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 of
10 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
14.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
February is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of
8.4 °C, with a minimum of
3.8 °C and a maximum of
13 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-6.2 °C in February 2018.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
17.5 °C. However, it reached
22.4 °C in February 2014.
Precipitation amounts to
62.8 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
14.2 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
10.9 °C, with a minimum of
6 °C and a maximum of
15.7 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
1 °C. However, it dropped to
-3.6 °C in March 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
20.5 °C. However, it reached
25.6 °C in March 1991.
Precipitation amounts to
58.6 mm, distributed over 7 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 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
14.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.
April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
13.8 °C, with a minimum of
8.8 °C and a maximum of
18.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
3.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-1 °C in April 2003.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
24.5 °C. However, it reached
30 °C in April 2013.
Precipitation amounts to
68.6 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
11 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
15.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.
May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.9 °C, with a minimum of
12.6 °C and a maximum of
23.3 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
8 °C. However, it dropped to
4.8 °C in May 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
29 °C. However, it reached
34.2 °C in May 2008.
Precipitation amounts to
56.8 mm, distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 60% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is of
10.1 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
18.5 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
22.4 °C, with a minimum of
16.8 °C and a maximum of
28 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
12.5 °C. However, it dropped to
9 °C in June 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
33.5 °C. However, it reached
36.6 °C in June 2006.
Precipitation amounts to
30.1 mm, distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 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 66% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is of
10.2 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
22.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
July is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of
25.2 °C, with a minimum of
19.4 °C and a maximum of
31 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
15.5 °C. However, it dropped to
12 °C in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
35.5 °C. However, it reached
38 °C in July 2005.
Precipitation amounts to
19.8 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 11 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 75% of the time.
The average humidity is 61%.
The average wind speed is of
10 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
25.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
August, the hottest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of
25.6 °C, with a minimum of
19.8 °C and a maximum of
31.4 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
16 °C. However, it dropped to
12.6 °C in August 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
36 °C. However, it reached
40 °C in August 2007.
Precipitation amounts to
30.2 mm, distributed over 2 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 10 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 74% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is of
9.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
26.1 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of
21.3 °C, with a minimum of
16.1 °C and a maximum of
26.5 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
11.5 °C. However, it dropped to
7.6 °C in September 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
31 °C. However, it reached
35.6 °C in September 2008.
Precipitation amounts to
64.9 mm, distributed over 6 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 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
9.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
24.3 °C. Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.
October is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of
17.3 °C, with a minimum of
12.6 °C and a maximum of
22 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
7 °C. However, it dropped to
2.8 °C in October 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
26.5 °C. However, it reached
30 °C in October 2000.
Precipitation amounts to
88.1 mm, distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 11 hours and 0 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 of
9.6 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
21.7 °C. Therefore, the sea is cool for swimming.
November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
12.7 °C, with a minimum of
8.6 °C and a maximum of
16.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
2 °C. However, it dropped to
-2.2 °C in November 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
22 °C. However, it reached
25.4 °C in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to
108.2 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.9 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
18.8 °C. Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.
December is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of
8.7 °C, with a minimum of
4.7 °C and a maximum of
12.8 °C.
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around
-1.5 °C. However, it dropped to
-6 °C in December 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around
17.5 °C. However, it reached
20.8 °C in December 2002.
Precipitation amounts to
98.3 mm, distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is of
10.4 kph.
The average sea temperature is of
16.4 °C. Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.