Vatican is the smallest independent state in the world. It consists of only one city of the same name which is by itself is located in the middle of Rome. Its area is only about 0.44 km² (0.16 m²) and length of borders is 3.2 km (1.9 m). Population is 1000 people and only half of them have respective citizenship and almost all of them are part of the clergy of Roman Catholic Church.

This tiny enclave has pleasant Mediterranean weather with warm dry summer and mild snowless winter. Precipitation is little and falls in form of rain even at winter. Frosts are exceptionally rare. So weather of Vatican is suitable for visit year-round. Regarding most common purposes of visiting Vatican weather is side issue.

 

Seasons

 

Contents:

• Spring
• Summer
• Autumn
• Winter

Spring in the Vatican City

Spring in Vatican City is the best time of a year. At March and April there is rapid warming. Through these two months temperature rises from 15 °C (59 °F) to 23 °C (23 °F). Sun stays on the sky longer but evenings and nights are cool with about 5 °C (41 °F). Though at April nighttime is warmer with 11 °C (52 °F) of temperature of air.

As for precipitation its levels are gradually decreasing with approaching of May. At this month sun stays on the sky for 9 hours per day. Overall spring weather in the country is some sort of improved summer conditions.

Climate of the Spring Months

March Max average t°: +16 °C (60.8 °F) Min average t°: +5 °C (41 °F) Sundial in the day: 5.5 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 70 mm (2.7")

April Max average t°: +19 °C (66.2 °F) Min average t°: +8 °C (46.4 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 65 mm (2.5")

May Max average t°: +24 °C (75.2 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (51.8 °F) Sundial in the day: 8.5 hours Rainy days: 6 days Precipitation: 50 mm (2")

(Vatican City)

Spring Holidays

March 13 – Anniversary of the election of Pope Francis.
March 19 – Saint Joseph's Day.

Monday after Easter – Easter Monday.

April 23 – Saint George.
May 1 – Saint Joseph the Worker.

Summer in the Vatican City

Summer in the country is described by two words: heat and stuffiness. At June temperature leaps 27 °C (81 °F). Through next two months thermometer never shows goes 30 °C (86 °F). Moreover from time to time temperature even goes above 40 °C (104 °F) so at this time noon means siesta.

Heat in Vatican City is fraught with sunburns and sunstrokes thus excursions should rather be held at morning or evening when activity of the sun is lower. In addition August is considered as driest month. Chances of precipitation are only slightly higher than zero.

 

Climate of the Summer Months

 

June Max average t°: +28°C (82.4 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 4 days Precipitation: 40 mm (1.6")

July Max average t°: +31 °C (87.8 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64.4 °F) Sundial in the day: 10.5 hours Rainy days: 2 days Precipitation: 25 mm (1")

August Max average t°: +31 °C (87.8 °F) Min average t°: +18 °C (64.4 °F) Sundial in the day: 9.5 hours Rainy days: 3 days Precipitation: 35 mm (1.4")

(Vatican City)

Summer Holidays

First Sunday of June – Day of proclamation of the republic.

June 29 – Saints Peter and Paul

August 15 – Assumption Day.

Autumn in the Vatican City

Autumn in the country is uncertain. At September temperature return to state of June and at night air cools down to 15 °C (59 °F). Also there is probability of short rains with thunder. At some years whole autumn was mild with some cold winds until the very December. Nevertheless there were years with rainy autumns when showers occurred frequently from October and on.

In general October and November are the wettest months in a year. Average temperatures of day and night are 22 °C (72 °F) and 16 °C (61 °F) respectively so autumn visit to the Vatican City should rather be planned on first half of September.

 

Climate of the Autumn Months

 

September Max average t°: +27 °C (80.6 °F) Min average t°: +15 °C (59 °F) Sundial in the day: 8 hours Rainy days: 5 days Precipitation: 75 mm (3")

October Max average t°: +23 °C (73.4 °F) Min average t°: +11 °C (51.8 °F) Sundial in the day: 6.5 hours Rainy days: 7 days Precipitation: 100 mm (3.9")

November Max average t°: +17 °C (62.6 °F) Min average t°: +7 °C (44.6 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 110 mm (4.3")

(Vatican City)

Autumn Holidays

September 8 – Nativity of Mary.

October 22 – Day of official assumption of office of Pope John Paul II, national holiday.

November 1 – All Saints.
November 4 – National Unity Day.

Winter in the Vatican City

Winter weather in the Vatican City bears cool and rainy nature. Between November and February there is probability of wide range of atmospheric conditions. Well as wide as degrees of freezing winds and rains. However temperatures are rather mild with 13 °C (55 °F) ant daytime and drop to 4 °C (39 °F) at night. At January night air may cool down to 1 °C (34 °F).

In general winter in Vatican City is dull despite 4 sunny hours per day at this season. In second half of February weather starts transformation into spring conditions with gradual warming, decreasing of precipitation and elongation of sunny hours.

Climate of the Winter Months

December Max average t°: +13 °C (55.4 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39.2 °F) Sundial in the day: 3.5 hours Rainy days: 10 days Precipitation: 95 mm (3.7")

January Max average t°: +12 °C (53.6 °F) Min average t°: +3 °C (37.4 °F) Sundial in the day: 4 hours Rainy days: 9 days Precipitation: 85 mm (3.3")

February Max average t°: +14 °C (57.2 °F) Min average t°: +4 °C (39.2 °F) Sundial in the day: 4.5 hours Rainy days: 8 days Precipitation: 80 mm (3.1")

(Vatican City)

Winter Holidays

December 8 – Immaculate Conception.
December 25 – Christmas Day.
December 26 – St. Stephen's Day.

January 1 – Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God.
January 6 – Epiphany.

February 11 – Anniversary of the foundation of Vatican City.