Sicily is the biggest island in the Mediterranean Sea. It is situated close to the southern tip of the Italian Peninsula. It has area of 25 460 km² (10 216 sq. mi.) and population of over than 5 million. With several neighboring islands it from autonomous region of same name.

Sicily has typical Mediterranean climate with dry hot summers and short rainy winters. Central region of the island is drier than coastal zones due to protection of mountain ranges that interferes courses of humid marine air masses. Mountainous regions are significantly colder and more humid than central plains.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in Sicily

Spring in Sicily is looking like blooming orange tree and smelling like wild flowers. March and April are bright but still cool. Constant growth of temperatures raises daytime average from 15 °C (59 °F) to 18 °C (64 °F) and higher, to 22 °C (71 °F) in May. Same time nights become warmer too. Nighttime temperatures perform growth from 9 °C (48 °F) to 14 °C (57 °F).

Precipitation decreases through the season. Southern coasts are driest. Same time temperature of the sea increases reaching 18 °C (64 °F). May is great time to visit the island before summer heat comes there.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +16 °C (62 °F) Min average t°: +10 °C (50 °F) Water t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 57 mm (2.2")

April Max average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Min average t°: +12 °C (54 °F) Water t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Sundial in the day: 10 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 32 mm (1.3")

May Max average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Water t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Sundial in the day: 11.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 28 mm (1.1")

(Palermo)

Spring Holidays

March 8 – Women’s Day.
March 19 – Festival of St Joseph in Salemi.
March-April – Easter Celebrations.

April 20-22 – Pilgrimage of athletic souls run the streets in Trecastagni.
April 25 – Liberation Day.
April 23 – St George's Day.
Last week of April – St George's Day.

May – Sagra del Lago at Lago di Pergusa, Festival of San Francesco di Paola in Milazzo, Classical drama festival in Syracuse.
May 1 – Labor Day.
May 18-20 – Infiorata in Noto.
May 25-27 – Nivarata.
May 26-27 – Open Cellars.
Penultimate Sunday of May – Festa dei Rami in Troina.
Fourth week of May – Classic dramas preformed in the ancient theatre in Tyndaris.

Summer in Sicily

Summer on the island is hot and very dry. Range of average temperatures is between 26 °C (79 °F) and 18 °C (64 °F) in June. Following two months are hotter with around 29 °C (84 °F) at afternoon and 21-22 °C (70-71 °F) at night. The sea is as warm as 26-28 °C (79-80 °F) depending on location. Evenings are cooler by 4-5 °C (8-10 °F). Daily amount of sunshine hits mark of 10.

Western coast of Sicily is plain and it is often experiences. Hot and dry African wind Sirocco drives heat and dust from the Sahara Desert. In such periods the sky is covered with dusty mist. Precipitation is extremely rare. There is high probability of draught. Local rivers go dry when there is no rain for three months.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +26 °C (80 °F) Min average t°: +19 °C (66 °F) Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 13.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 13 mm (0.5")

July Max average t°: +29.5 °C (85 °F) Min average t°: +22 °C (72 °F) Water t°: +26.4 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 14 hours Rainy days: 0 days Precipitation: 6 mm (0.2")

August Max average t°: +30 °C (86 °F) Min average t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Water t°: +27.4 °C (81 °F) Sundial in the day: 12.5 hours Rainy days: 1 day Precipitation: 18 mm (0.7")

(Palermo)

Summer Holidays

June 2 – Republic day.
June 22-23 – Inycon Wine Festival in Menfi.
June 24 – Pesce a Mare in Aci Trezza.
June 29 – Procession of St Lucy in Syracuse.

July – Estate Ennese, International Film Festival in Taormina.
July 14-15 – Festival of St Rosalia in Palermo.
July 25-29 – Stragusto.

August 1-6 – A boat around Ortigia island in Syracuse.
August 13-14 – Il Palio dei Normanni in Piazza Armerina.
August 15 – Ferrogosta procession in Massina and a boat procession at Capo d'Orlando.
Ugust 27-29 – St John the Baptist celebrations in Ragusa.

Autumn in Sicily

September and October are the most comfortable time of a year. Exhausting heat changes to pleasant warmth in first month of autumn. It is 26 °C (79 °F) at afternoon and 19 °C (66 °F) at night. October is cooler with range of 22-16 °C (71-61 °F). In November temperature is decreasing to 18-13 °C (64-55 °F). The sea has 25-20 °C (77-68 °F) until first days of last autumn month.

Autumn is the time of fast intense showers. Amount of sunshine per day does drops to 7 hours in October and to 5 hours in following November. By the end of the season Etna gets white snow cap on its peak.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +27 °C (81 °F) Min average t°: +21 °C (69 °F) Water t°: +26 °C (79 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 62 mm (2.4")

October Max average t°: +23 °C (74 °F) Min average t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Water t°: +23 °C (73 °F) Sundial in the day: 9 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 73 mm (2.9")

November Max average t°: +19 °C (67 °F) Min average t°: +14 °C (57 °F) Water t°: +20 °C (68 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 48 mm (1.9")

(Palermo)

Autumn Holidays

September – A medieval parade in Caccamo.
September 4 – Pilgrimage of Monte Pellegino in Palermo.
September 7-8 – Procession of Madonna delle Luci and her guardians in Mistretta.
September 21-30 – International couscous festival at San Vito Lo Capo.

October – Ecclesiastical music concerts in Palermo, horse fair in San Fratello.

November – Historical fair in Sant'Agata di Militello.
November 1 – All Saints Day.

Winter in Sicily

Sicilian winter is uncertain. Bright days are suitable for strolls or skiing. Seasonal averages are between 14 °C (57 °F) and 8 °C (46 °F). There is no frost in coastal zones, but highland localities experience temperatures slightly below freezing as well as occasional snowfalls. Winter is the most humid season on Sicilia. It is the time of long drizzly rains accompanied by overcast. Days are dark with only around 4 hours of daily sunshine.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +16 °C (61 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (51 °F) Water t°: +17 °C (63 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 47 mm (1.85")

January Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Water t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 6 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 59 mm (2.3")

February Max average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Min average t°: +9 °C (49 °F) Water t°: +14.5 °C (58 °F) Sundial in the day: 7 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 76 mm (3.0")

(Palermo)

Winter Holidays

December 8 – Immaculate Conception.
December 13 – Festival of St Lucy in Syracuse.
December 25 – Christmas.

January 1-6 – New Year Celebrations.
January 6 – Epiphany.
January 17 – Festival of Sant'Anotonio in Nicolosi.

February 5 – Festival of Sant'Agata in Catania.
February 3r-13 – The Carnival of Acireale.
First-second week of February – Almond blossom festival in Agrigento.
February-March – Carnevale.