Positano is the commune and the village in southern part of Italian Peninsula. Cozy small houses sit on a slope of rocky hill funning down to golden beaches of the Tyrrhenian Sea. It is called “a piece of heaven on Earth” for weather and looks of the land. After mentioning in John Steinbeck’s article in 1953 Positano became well recognized resort. Nowadays it is completely developed into luxurious place for quiet recreation.

Climate of the region obtains the best features of Mediterranean weather. It has mildly hot dry summers and cool winters with no snow. Long velvet season lasts through first two months of autumn. The Lattari Mountains protect Positano from cold northern winds. Gulf of Salerno is calm and grants gentle breezes to its coasts. They are smoothen summer heat if it occur.

Seasons

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Positano

March and April in Positano are rather cool months. Locals call March crazy: “marzo pazzo”, because of its unpredictable weather. In general daily averages grow from 15 °C (59 °F) to 19 °C (66 °F) reaching 25 °C (77 °F) in warmest days. In late April the sea warms up to 20 °C (68 °F) and continues to gain warmth throughout the season. First two months of spring are suitable for those are not fond of swimming and crowds and love beautiful places.

May has the greatest weather among spring months. Daily range of temperatures shifts to 24-13 °C (75-55 °F). Monthly amount of precipitation of 30 mm (1.2”) is moderate comparing to 60 mm (2.3”) in September. In second half of May the sea warms up higher than 20 °C (68 °F). Late spring is good time for those who can’t tolerate heat.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (42 °F) Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 89 mm (3.5")

April Max average t°: +15.5 °C (60 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 51 mm (2.0")

May Max average t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (53 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 11 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 57 mm (2.2")

Spring Holidays

March-April – Easter celebrations.
March 8 – Women’s Day.

April 25 – Liberation Day.
May 1 – Labor Day.

Summer in Positano

Summer in Positano is hot and dry. Without sea breezes it would be too hot, but fortunately they are there. June is not as hot as following months. Daily averages of first summer month are between 28 °C (82 °F) and 16 °C (61 °F). By the middle of July air become much hotter with 32 °C (89 °F) at afternoon and 19 °C (66 °F) at night. The sea warms up to pleasant 27 °C (80 °F).

Precipitation is moderate not to say poor. There is 15-9 mm (0.6-0.3) of rainfall per month. Showers are rare and bring only couple of hour of cool weather. Those who have issues with heat tolerating should consider planning journey to Positano on late spring or early autumn.

Climate of the Summer Months

June Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 13 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 26.5 mm (1.0")

July Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64 °F) Water t°: +25.5 °C (78 °F) Sundial in the day: 13.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 26 mm (1.0")

August Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (65 °F) Water t°: +26.5 °C (80 °F) Sundial in the day: 12.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 20 mm (0.8")

Summer Holidays

June 2 – Republic Day.
June 15 – St Vito's Festivity.

July 2 – Santa Maria delle Grazie's Festivity in Montepertuso.
August 15 – Assumprion.

Autumn in Positano

First half of autumn in Posiatno is the velvet season. By beginning of September summer heat retreats and daily temperatures move to pleasant range of 27 °C (80 °F) to 16 °C (61 °F). First half of October is comfortable too with 23 °C (73 °F) to 13 °C (55 °F). Water is still warm and this time is suitable for swimming.

In November weather reaches point where it is too cool for seaside activities having range of daily temperatures of 17-9 °C (62-48 °F). Also, November marks beginning and peak of rainy season with up to 100 mm (3.9”) of monthly precipitation.

Climate of the Autumn Months

September Max average t°: +24 °C (75 °F) Min average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Water t°: +25 °C (77 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 82 mm (3.2")

October Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Water t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 110 mm (4.3")

November Max average t°: +14 °C (58 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (48 °F) Water t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 129 mm (5.1")

Autumn Holidays

September – Leonide Massine Prize for the art of dance, Fish festival.
October 31 – Halloween.
November 1 – All Saints Day.

Winter in Positano

December is the last stage of seasonal transition of weather. Afternoons of this month are as cool as 13 °C (55 °F) and at night there is only 6 °C (43 °F). Following two months are colder by couple degrees, though temperature goes below freezing only in exceptional occasions.

Rainy season lasts throughout whole winter with gradual decreasing of monthly amount of precipitation from 87 mm (3.4”) in December to 68 mm (2.7”) in February. In the end of January Positano is covered by vivid yellow flowers of blooming mimosa.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +11 °C (52 °F) Min average t°: +6 °C (43 °F) Water t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 77 mm (3.0")

January Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 107 mm (4.2")

February Max average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Water t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 116 mm (4.6")

Winter Holidays

December – Zeppola Festival.
December 8 – Immaculate Conception.
December 24-26 – Christmas Celebrations.
December 31 – New Year’s Eve.

January 1 – New Year’s Day.
January 6 – Epiphany.