You might already have a general idea of the weather in Florence. The city is not in the tropics and it’s certainly not an Arctic tundra.

But Florence’s climate throughout the seasons might be more varied than you think, and this can have a big impact on your trip.

Florence has a mild Mediterranean climate. This means summers are mostly sunny and hot from morning until evening. Winters are cold, but not frigid, with a high chance of rain.

But there’s much more to Florence’s weather, with humidity, rainfall, wind, sunshine, temperatures, and daylight hours varying quite a lot between seasons. This is something you should consider when planning your trip as the weather can have a huge impact on your travels.

It’s easy to find out Florence’s current forecast on our preferred weather website, Il Meteo. You can set the language to English and it displays a detailed 14-day weather forecast.

The weather in Florence can be pretty varied even from day to day, so looking at the actual forecast is essential to make sure you come prepared.

Florence’s spring months are March, April, and May. You might think that this means it will be sunny all the time, but the temperatures in spring can be, for lack of a better word, temperamental.

I remember leaving my hotel to grab a cappuccino before a walking tour in early April. While the sky was mostly sunny, the temperature was around 37°F/3°C and I had definitely not packed the appropriate jacket. Luckily, the sun warmed up the city by midday.

Spring weather in Florence tends to be a little chilly in the morning and evening, but so pleasant during the day; perfect sightseeing weather.

Average temperatures

March:

• Average high temperature: 59°F/15°C
• Average low temperature: 42°F/5°C
• Average day temperature: 52°F/11°C
• Average night temperature: 51°F/10°C

Around 62% humidity is usual in March.

March is Florence’s windiest month with averages of 8.3 km/ 5.2 miles per hour winds, it’s really not a very windy city.

Sunrise is around 6:25 AM and sunset is around 6:25 PM, with around five hours of sunshine each day.

April:

• Average high temperature: 66°F/19°C
• Average low temperature: 48°F/9°C
• Average day temperature: 58°F/14°C
• Average night temperature: 57°F/14°C

Thanks to its high chance of rainfall, 67% humidity is normal for April.

Sunrise is around 6:30 AM and sunset is around 8:00 PM, with around seven hours of sunshine.

May:

• Average high temperature: 74°F/23°C
• Average low temperature: 55°F/13°C
• Average day temperature: 64°F/17°C
• Average night temperature: 62°F/16°C

Temperatures in Florence take quite a leap from March to May. This month, the weather is mostly sunny and pleasant.

Sunrise is around 5:50 AM and sunset is around 8:35 PM, with around nine hours of sunshine.

How much does it rain in spring?

It can be quite wet in early spring, so if you’re visiting in March or April it’s a good idea to come prepared with a travel umbrella and light rain jacket. It doesn’t tend to rain for that long however, so even if it looks grey and wet when you wake up, it’s usually brightened up by lunchtime.

In May the weather dries up so the chances of rain are lower, and apart from the odd rain shower you shouldn’t get wet.

Summers in Florence are hot and dry. June and July, Florence’s first two summer months, are high season along with April and May.

August is generally a bit quieter. Many Italians take vacations this month, with visitors and locals both flocking to seaside destinations in summer.

Sun-seekers heading to Florence may not love the lack of air-conditioning in some of the older Florence hotels and apartments so I always check this before booking anything. Having air conditioning in your accommodation for summer trips is absolutely essential to combat Florence’s hot days.

Average temperatures

June:

• Average high temperature: 82°F/28°C
• Average low temperature: 62°F/16°C
• Average day temperature: 74°F/23°C
• Average night temperature: 71°F/21°C

Humidity is lower in June, and the weather in Florence is mostly clear and pretty perfect, no wonder it’s a popular month to travel. Sunrise is around 5:35 AM and sunset 9:00 PM, with around ten hours of sunshine.

July:

• Average high temperature: 88°F/31°C
• Average low temperature: 65°F/18°C
• Average day temperature: 79°F/26°C
• Average night temperature: 77°F/25°C

July has around 59% humidity, and it’s also the windiest month with average winds of 8.6 km/5.4 miles per hour.

Sunrise is around 5:50 AM and sunset is around 8:55 PM, with around eleven hours of sunshine.

August:

• Average high temperature: 87°F/30°C
• Average low temperature: 64°F/18°C
• Average day temperature: 79°F/26°C
• Average night temperature: 77°F/25°C

August’s weather in Florence is very similar to July but it’s often a slightly less-crowded month for visitors.

Sunrise is around 6:20 AM and sunset is around 8:20 PM, with around eleven hours of sunshine.

How intense does the heat get?

Florence’s summer weather can be unbearable, especially if you are used to air-conditioning. Explore the city in the cooler mornings and late evenings and take a tip from the Spanish and enjoy a siesta in the afternoons.

Summer in Florence is a good excuse to eat lots of gelato, but it’s important to stay hydrated too. Treat yourself to an Instagrammable floppy sunhat and reapply sunscreen (at least SPF 30) every two hours.

Like spring, Florence’s weather in fall can be unpredictable.

September is very much high season in Florence. School breaks are over, but Florence’s sunny skies and warm temperatures entice visitors back.

As the temperatures drop and the rain starts falling in October and November, no 10-day weather forecasts look the same.

Average temperatures

September:

• Average high temperature: 80°F/26°C
• Average low temperature: 60°F/15°C
• Average day temperature: 70°F/21°C
• Average night temperature: 69°F/20°C

Humidity climbs up to an average of 65%.

Sunrise is around 7:00 AM and sunset is around 7:25 PM, with mostly sunny days with eight hours of sunshine.

October:

• Average high temperature: 70°F/21°C
• Average low temperature: 53°F/11°C
• Average day temperature: 63°F/17°C
• Average night temperature: 62°F/16°C

Due to the higher rainfall, October has 72% average humidity. Expect your trip to be partly cloudy, rainy, and sunny.

Sunrise is around 7:24 AM and sunset is around 6:24 PM, with around six hours of sunshine.

November:

• Average high temperature: 59°F/15°C
• Average low temperature: 45°F/7°C
• Average day temperature: 55°F/12°C
• Average night temperature: 52°F/11°C

November is Florence’s highest month for humidity with a 76% average. This makes sense considering it has the city’s highest chance of rainfall. Luckily, it’s the least windiest month of the year.

Sunrise is around 7:10 AM and sunset is around 4:50 PM, with around four hours of sunshine.

How much does it rain in fall?

As you’d expect, winter in Florence is the coldest season. Daylight hours are short and although fall is the rainiest season, early winter can still be quite wet in my experience.

The city is least crowded in January and February, but December is still busy thanks to Christmas and New Year. It’s not the best weather to drink a spritz on a rooftop terrace, but it’s perfect for exploring art galleries.

Average temperatures

December:

• Average high temperature: 52°F/11°C
• Average low temperature: 39°F/4°C
• Average day temperature: 45°F/7°C
• Average night temperature: 44°F/6°C

December’s average humidity is 75%. It might have the shortest daylight hours, but the twinkling festive lights help the evenings seem brighter.

Sunrise is around 7:42 AM and sunset is around 4:40 PM, with around three hours of sunshine.

February:

• Average high temperature: 54°F/12°C
• Average low temperature: 39°F/4°C
• Average day temperature: 47°F/8°C
• Average night temperature: 46°F/7°C

February’s average humidity is 68%.

Sunrise is around 7:15 AM and sunset is around 5:45 PM, with around four hours of sunshine.

How much does it rain in winter? Does it ever snow?

There’s never a bad time of year to visit Florence, so the best weather conditions for your trip depend on how you want to spend it.

Spring is a great season to be outside. It has mostly dry, mild weather perfect for exploring the Boboli Gardens and drinking spritzes on rooftop bars.

Summer’s guaranteed dry weather in Florence is always appealing. There are summer festivals and the warm evenings are a dream.

Fall’s cooler temperatures are more bearable. Plus, Florence somehow looks even more beautiful in the rain. Quieter churches and galleries will welcome you when you need to dry off.

Winter’s festive atmosphere is perfect for a pre-Christmas trip. Budget travelers and museum lovers should visit after the holiday season for the lowest prices and smallest crowds.

My personal favorite time in the city is either early spring before the crowds arrive or at the end of October, when the weather is perfect for exploring.