Climate - Venice (Italy)

The climate of Venice, the capital of the Veneto region, is moderately continental, similar to that of the Po Valley, with cold, moist winters and hot, muggy summers, but it's slightly tempered by the Adriatic Sea.
The average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 4 °C (39 °F), that of the warmest months (July, August) is of 24 °C (75 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation totals to 750 millimeters (29.5 inches) per year and is well distributed over the seasons. There are two relative maxima in spring and autumn, when Atlantic depressions are more frequent; in these cases, the south-east wind ("scirocco") blows, which collects moisture over the Adriatic Sea. Here is the average precipitation.

In addition to the sirocco, Venice is subject to the bora, a cold wind blowing from the plains of Eastern Europe, especially in winter and spring. The bora sweeps the Venetian plain and the lagoon of Venice, although with a lower force than in Slovenia and in Trieste, where it is channeled through the mountains.
The phenomenon of the so-called acqua alta (high water) occurs in bad weather conditions, and it's due to a combination of wind (the sirocco, which obstructs the flow of rivers into the sea) and tide (which raises sea level).
In November 2020, the Mose, the system of mobile dams that should protect the city from the highest tides, went into operation.



Winter, from December to February, is cold, damp and gray. The coldest months are, as is normal in the Po-Venetian plain, January and December. At night, light frosts occur often enough.
Fog is quite frequent, until March.
When the bora blows, the air feels colder than it actually is because of the wind chill.
During the most intense cold waves, the temperature can drop below -5 °C (23 °F). At Tessera airport, the cold record, -13.5 °C (7.5 °F), was set in January 1963. Other very low values were -12 °C (10.5 °F) in January 1968 and January 1985, -9 °C (16 °F) in January 1987, February 1991 and December 1996, -11 °C (12 °F) in December 2009, and -9 °C (16 °F) in February 2012.
Sometimes, frost can also occur in early March or in late November. During the coldest winters, the lagoon can freeze, as happened in 1929, 1956, 1963, 1985, and in February 2012.



Snow in Venice is seen almost every year, but is almost never abundant, in fact, the bora is originally a dry wind, and generally brings at most light snowfalls, while when it snows in the western Po Valley (see Milan), here, the sirocco raises the temperature and brings rainfall.
On average, less than 5 cm (2 in) of snow fall per year. Venice is therefore one of the least snowy cities in northern Italy.

Spring, from March to May, is a quite rainy and unstable season. There is a moderate amount of sunny days, but there can still be cold and foggy days (especially in March) as well as periods of bad weather and wind. Typically, by the second half of April, the temperature becomes pleasant in a more stable manner, but the bora can sometimes still blow, lowering the temperature for a few days, also in May.

Summer, from June to August, is usually sunny, and it's often also hot and muggy, though the breeze tempers a little the heat. In the afternoon, thunderstorms can break out, while the bora can sometimes blow, bringing a bit of cool weather.
The temperature reached 36.5 °C (97.5 °F) in July 2006, 36 °C (97 °F) in August 2011 and in July 2015, and 35.5 °C (96 °F) in August 2003, in July 2010 and in August 2017.

Autumn, from September to November, is initially pleasant (in September and sometimes in early October), with many sunny days, alternating with some rainy periods, and then it gradually becomes more cold, cloudy and rainy.



The amount of sunshine in Venice is good in late spring and summer, from May to August, when there are many sunny days, and it is still acceptable in September. In the rest of the year, it is not high because there are many cloudy days, and even a bit of fog in the coldest months. On average, there are around 2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

The sea, in the Venetian lagoon, but also along the coast of the Northern Adriatic Sea (see Jesolo), is warm enough for swimming in July and August, when the water temperature reaches 25/26 °C (77/79 °F), while it is still a bit cool in June. Here are the average sea temperatures.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Venice are spring and autumn, and in particular, from mid-April to mid-June and in the month of September. However, in both periods, some rainy days are possible. July and August, and more rarely the second half of June, can be hot and sultry; in August, there are many tourists (and many mosquitoes...), and the lagoon doesn't always smell good.

Venice - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Venice is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.0 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.4 °C (32.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -8 °C (17.6 °F) in January 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 17.9 °C (64.2 °F) in January 1997.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In February, the weather in Venice is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 5.2 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.8 °F) and a maximum of 9.3 °C (48.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (25 °F). However, it dropped to -9.2 °C (15.4 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58.5 °F). However, it reached 19 °C (66.2 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10 °C (50.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In March, the weather in Venice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.0 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.6 °C (40.4 °F) and a maximum of 13.4 °C (56.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -0.5 °C (31 °F). However, it dropped to -6.6 °C (20.1 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66.5 °F). However, it reached 23.4 °C (74.1 °F) in March 1994.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 10.5 °C (51.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In April, the weather in Venice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 13.2 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.8 °C (47.9 °F) and a maximum of 17.6 °C (63.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38.5 °F). However, it dropped to -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 72%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (7 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.

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In May, the weather in Venice is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.3 °C (72.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9 °C (48 °F). However, it dropped to 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) in May 2006.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 31.5 °C (88.7 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 55 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 50% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 18 °C (64.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In June, the weather in Venice is usually warm. The average temperature is of 21.9 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.4 °F) and a maximum of 26.3 °C (79.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it dropped to 8.2 °C (46.8 °F) in June 1994.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35.5 °C (95.9 °F) in June 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 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 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 10 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 July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Venice is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 24.1 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19.3 °C (66.7 °F) and a maximum of 28.9 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it dropped to 11.6 °C (52.9 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 36.6 °C (97.9 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 9.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 61% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 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 weather in Venice is usually warm to hot. The average temperature is of 23.9 °C (75 °F), with a minimum of 19 °C (66.2 °F) and a maximum of 28.8 °C (83.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in August 2010.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 33 °C (91.5 °F). However, it reached 35.8 °C (96.4 °F) in August 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 0 minutes.
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 9 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 26 °C (78.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is warm enough for swimming.

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In September, the weather in Venice is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.5 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 14.9 °C (58.8 °F) and a maximum of 24.1 °C (75.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (50.5 °F). However, it dropped to 6 °C (42.8 °F) in September 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29 °C (84 °F). However, it reached 32 °C (89.6 °F) in September 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 23 °C (74 °F). Therefore, the sea can be considered barely acceptable for swimming.

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In October, the weather in Venice is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 14.7 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 10.6 °C (51.1 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4.5 °C (40.5 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in October 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 7 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 9 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 19.5 °C (67.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cool for swimming.

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In November, the weather in Venice is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.5 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.9 °C (42.6 °F) and a maximum of 13.1 °C (55.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0 °C (31.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.1 °C (26.4 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 31% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 16.5 °C (61.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is cold for swimming.

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In December, the weather in Venice is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.8 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4 °C (24.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14 °C (57.5 °F). However, it reached 18.9 °C (66 °F) in December 1996.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 50 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 28% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).
The average sea temperature is of 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). Therefore, the sea is very cold for swimming.