sicily weather & climate

The Sicily is situated in the southern Mediterranean , no more than 100miles from the north African coast, so has the benefit of sunshine for much of the year. Even the winter months are mild in the coastalresortswith daytime temperatures in the low 60s, or 15-16˚C, but inland it can be quite cold and stormy, with sufficient snow for skiing and sledging on Mt Etna , and around Enna in January. The rest of the year is a delight, though the temperatures in July and August can be very hot and dusty if the Scirocco wind is blowing from the Sahara

Spring is a wonderful timeto be there. The almond trees are in blossom in February and by mid March with daytime temperatures in the mid 60s F or 18-20 ˚C, and only occasional showery rain the countryside is carpeted by both spring and summer wild flowers, blooming together in profusion and everywhere is very green following the winter rains. So while the sea is no more than 15˚C and swimming is only for the really intrepid, there are lovely sunny days and sightseeing, walking and mid day sunbathing are all possible.

At Easter time many of the towns have religious festivals in which processions and re-enactments of the events leading up to the crucifixion attract many onlookers. These take places in Enna all week, in Caltanissetta from Wednesday to Friday, on Thursday in Marsala, in Trapani on good Friday and in Prizzi, Palermo on Easter Sunday. The temperature by mid April is usually in the low 70s F or between 22 and 23˚C while the sea temperature has risen to 16˚C , so swimming is possible, but not very enjoyable! The rainfall season is almost over but if you do catch a rain storm it can be surprisingly heavy.

In May the temperature is beginning to rise quickly. The average for mid May is 81-84˚F, or 27-29˚C and almost every day is sunny. The sea temperature has risen to 19˚ C, windsurfing championships take place in Palermo, while Noto celebrates with a stunning flower festival in which flowers are used to create pictures and mosaics. Siracusa and Segesta are both hosts to a classical theatre production staged in ancient Greek outdoor amphitheatres.

Summer has really arrived in Sicily by June. The schools break up for the summer holidays in mid June because it is deemed to hot to study! Average temperatures are 90˚F plus or 33-34˚ C and days are either sunny, or very sunny! The beaches and resorts are still relatively uncrowded, prices are still at mid-season levels while inland the countryside has lost the fresh green colouring of spring as the flowers and grasses wither in the heat and the succulents, citrus and olive trees provide the dominant dull green colouring. There is tennis in Palermo, an Arts festival in Taormina which lasts throughout the summer, in which events are staged in the fabulous Greek amphitheatre and a film festival in Agrigento. The sea temperature is at 21˚C + so swimming is pleasant.

July and August are characterised by baking temperatures, the average being in the mid 90s F and the mid 30s C. Other than the occasional convectional rainstorm, caused by over heating and the equally occasional stifling dusty heat of the scirocco wind blowing from North Africa conditions are superb for those who want a classic Mediterranean summer holiday. Beaches are filled with sun worshippers, cooling off in the sea, whose temperature has risen to 25˚C. The towns, restaurants, bars and cafés are crowded late into the evening as everyone comes out once the temperature starts to fall, August is particularly busy as many Sicilians return home from other parts of Italy for their summer holiday. Towns and villages are thronged, particularly at festival time, to celebrate a saint’s day, a particular crop or the harvest. Processions, parades, games etc, take place. Visit Palermo in the second and fourth weeks of July, Caltagirone in late July for saints day festivals, and harvest festivals in Palermo, La Festa della Spiga in early August, and in Caltanisetta in mid August for the Sagra del Pomodoro, Tomato fest!! A day not to be missed is ferragosto (the Feast of the Assumption) in mid August which is celebrated with fireworks throughout the island.

The weather in September is much too lovely to be called autumnal, The searing heat of mid summer has decreased to temperatures in the 80s Fahrenheit or low 30s Centigrade that seem like glorious summer to visitors from Northern Europe. It is dry; the sea temperature is still wonderfully warm at 25˚C. There are fewer tourists and prices drop from their high season levels by the middle of the month. This is the time of harvest celebrations throughout the island and a Bellini festival for opera lovers in Catania. 

Autumn in Sicily
By early October the crowds have gone, prices have dropped, beaches are almost deserted although the sea is a pleasant 22˚C and swimming is very enjoyable if the sea is calm. The autumn storms begin towards the end of the month and so there may be a day or two of rain . However temperatures are still in the mid 70s F or 22-25˚C and the weather is ideal for sightseeing. Notable events are an antiques fair in Palermo at the beginning of the month and craft fairs on Mount Etna every week end throughout October.

November and December are not ideal months for a prolonged visit to the island. Temperatures by December are in the low 60s F or 16-17 ˚C and the winter storms which may affect two or three days a fortnight can be cold, windy and wet. However, by comparison with Northern Europe it is warm and the towns, cities and historic sites are less crowded. Prices are reasonable, the food is delicious and there are local festivals in Agricento at the beginning of the month to celebrate the dramatist Pirandello, and in Siracusa on the 13 th December for Festa di Santa Lucia.