How is weather in Tuscany? I guess you are asking yourself this question because you are planning to visit Tuscany soon and you wish to know which is the best time of the year to come. So, I thought it could be useful to you writing an article about the weather in Tuscany.
General weather in Tuscany
Weather in Tuscany is generally very mild, but there are differences between the coast and the inland. The weather is influenced by the presence of the sea in the west side and the Apennines in the north and east side.
The Coastline and the Islands
The coastline and the islands of the Tuscan Archipelago have a Mediterranean weather with an average temperature of 16°C (59°F) along the Maremman coast in the south, that slowly goes down moving to the north or to the inland.
Winter is mild with a temperature that usually don’t go down 8°C (46,4°F). Rarely it can snow, thanks to the presence of the sea. In the northern coast, the influence of the Apuan Alps makes the weather colder and rainier than the south.
Summer, from mid June to the mid September, has great weather to go at the beach and enjoy a bath into the Mediterranean Sea (Tuscany has 7 islands and more than 400 km/250 mi of coasts from the Apuan Coast and Versilia, to the Etruscan Coast and Maremma). Average temperature usually goes up to 23 – 25°C (73 – 77°F) with peaks of more than 30°C (86°F) and thanks to the sea breeze the weather is always gentle and enjoyable, never too hot.
Moreover, it happens to have hot summers, as last year, where we had almost 35°C (95°F) everyday in July and August.
The beautiful blue sea at Giglio Island
The Inland
The inland has an average temperature a bit lower than the coast and the climate is more continental. This means hot summers, cold winters and a larger excursion of temperature from daytime to the evening, comparing to the coastline.
In winter we have an average of 4°C / 7°C (39 / 44°F) and in summer 24°C / 26°C (75 / 78°F) with peaks of higher temperature during the month of August. Some days, especially when there is no breeze, only the shadow of trees or the air con of your room, can save you from the boiling rays, especially in the south (Val di Chiana).
Autumn at the Devil’s Bridge in Borgo a Mozzano, Lucca
The Mountains
On the mountains, in winter we have snow and freezing weather. Along the Tusco-Emilian Apennines, the Monte Amiata, Lunigiana and Garfagnana you can even ski. Have a look at the main ski area of Tuscany. Summer offers great weather in these areas and lovers of nature will definitely appreciate all the activities they could experience as hiking, biking, and horse riding.
Isola Santa in Garfagnana under the snow in winter
The rainy weather in Tuscany
I bet that the weather condition you hate the most is the rain. Well, I agree with you. Especially when I am on holiday I don’t like rain. But sometimes, there are moments that become magic with rain: try to imagine to sit out on the porch of a country villa staring at the falling rain, hearing its sound and smelling the scent of the rainy ground. Isn’t it beautiful?
Anyway, the rainy season is concentrated from November to March with November and December as the rainiest months. January and February are the coldest and rain is not that much. When spring comes in March, temperature gets high and the risk of rain decrease, till the end of summer.
In autumn and winter, it rains a lot in the proximity of the Apuan Alps and Apennines but also in the Casentino in the South East of Tuscany. The coast of Maremma, the Crete Senesi and some parts of Val d’Orcia and Val di Chiana instead, are really poor of rain.
Anyway, in case of heavy rain you can think to visit one of the many interesting museums or take a rest in one of the wild hot springs of the region. To be always up to date about the weather in Tuscany you can always check our Tuscany Weather Forecast.
The Uffizi Gallery in Florence on a foggy day
The best months to visit Tuscany
I will start saying that every season is good for a travel in Tuscany. Moreover the best period to visit Tuscany goes from mid March till the end of October.
From April to October you take advantage of the longest and brightest days of the year. Rain falls a little, but if you dress in layers and bring an umbrella, you will be fine.
Spring is the season of blossoms, when the energetic colours of flowers and trees take the place of the grey winter colours. Autumn is the period of the fall foliage, of the harvest of grapes, of chestnuts and mushrooms. Both periods are good for traveling in Tuscany thanks to mild temperature, not too many tourists, lower rates and the opportunity to attend one of the traditional food festivals and historical reenactment that every village organize. If you choose Easter to come, you will probably find higher rates, being holidays even for locals.
A sunny day of spring in Pontremoli, Lunigiana
July and August are the hottest months of the year and the weather is great all around the region. This is the best period to visit the coastal resorts enjoying the beauty of the Tuscan beaches and the splendid villages of the countryside. While if you choose to visit the main historical cities, you might get easily wet due to the high temperature. These two months, of course, are the most crowded of tourists and airfare and hotel rates are the highest of the year.
The middle season of June and September have sun and warm weather. You can go at the beach, visit the cities and the countryside, finding a less number of tourists and without suffering the hot sun too much.
There are good reasons to come in Tuscany even in winter when the climate is cold. You can ski in one of the resorts along the Apennines. You can enjoy the magic atmosphere of the Christmas with markets, living nativity scenes and other traditional events (considering also that being low season the hotels propose good deals). And finally you can celebrate the New Year’s Eve in one of the beautiful cities or tiny villages of the region.
The rolling hills of Chianti
I hope you will find this post about weather in Tuscany useful to decide the best period to visit us. In case you need further information read also 10 good reasons to visit Tuscany, 8 great ideas to choose Tuscany in autumn. And of course follow our blog and our social network to get tips about itineraries, places to visit, food and events.
