Sicily boasts a typically Mediterranean climate with mild winters, pleasantly warm autumns and springs, and generally hot and dry summers
Sicilian Climate
Sicily has a temperate Mediterranean climate: winter is mild, autumn and spring are pleasantly warm, summer is hot and dry, but temperatures can vary greatly across the regions. Distance from the sea and the height of the larger mountains are the causes of sharp differences in climate. It rains more frequently in the mountains, where on occasion one can experience snow. Snow remains on Mount Etna throughout the year, and until quite late in the season on some of the higher peaks in the Nebrodi and Madonie ranges (northern). Rainfall is low and occurs mostly in winter months.
Spring
Spring begins early in Sicily although the weather can be quite unpredictable. The average temperatures range from 15 to 25 degrees C. During this season the countryside is a kaleidoscope of flowers and blossoms, which permeates the air with their scents and perfumes.
Summer
Summer begins in May and may last at times until late November. The hottest months are July and August (average 25°c). The heat of summer is usually moderated on the coast by fresh sea breezes, which make temperatures pleasant even in midsummer.
Autumn
Autumn begins late in Sicily as September is still sunny and warm and even November frequently offers agreeably warm temperatures and several hours of sunshine.
Winter
Winter is known for being very short and mild, it lasts basically from December to February (average temperature 10-14°c). It is the most rainy part of the year and therefore the most humid. Anyhow it is not rare for temperatures to exceed 20° even during the “cold” months.
Sicily is blessed by the sun almost all year round, with 300 days of sunlight per year. The sun shines on average for 2700 hours yearly, as against the 2,000 hours of the Italian mainland. Even rainy December offers on average at least 100 hours of sunlight.
The scirocco (the wind that blows in from the Sahara desert) can cause a spectacular rise in temperature in all seasons. When the hot African wind blows the yellow desert sand over the island it gives a surreal colour to the atmosphere. The air is hot but dry, as humidity is very low, making the heat more tolerable.
In the last 30 years an average temperature of 18.5°C has being recorded in the Palermo area, making it the hottest climate area of Italy.
Sea temperature‘s ranges from l5°C in winter to 27°C in summer.