Florence weather by month

When to go to Florence

For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: June, July, August. November is the wettest month (128 mm, about 13 rainy days) and July the driest (29 mm).

Getting there

A direct flight from London Gatwick to Florence Airport, Peretola (FLR, 5 km from Florence) takes roughly 2 h 12 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Rome.

Records and extremes, 1991-2020

The hottest day recorded in Florence between 1991 and 2020 reached 38.9°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -14.2°C on 7 February 1991. In August one day in ten tops 34.3°C and about 50% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to -2.5°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2000 with 328 mm, against a November average of 128 mm.

Spring: warmer days, but keep a waterproof handy

Spring becomes noticeably easier for outdoor days as it progresses. March averages 14°C by day but just 4°C at night, so a warm layer remains useful even when the afternoon feels mild. April reaches 18°C, a comfortable level for walking, though its 12 rain days mean you should leave room to change plans. May is the stronger choice for warmth without summer heat: daytime averages reach 22°C, with 7 hours of sunshine. The catch is that spring is not reliably dry. Pack a light waterproof and shoes that cope with wet pavements, plus a jacket for evenings rather than relying on daytime warmth.

Summer: the best sunshine, with a midday heat trade-off

June offers a useful balance of summer warmth and manageable heat, averaging 26°C by day with 9 hours of sunshine. It suits travellers who want plenty of outdoor time but would rather avoid the hottest conditions. July and August both average around 30°C during the day, so plan longer walks for the morning and leave the middle of the day for shade or indoor breaks. July is the driest month and has the most sunshine, while August stays slightly warmer at night, averaging 19°C. Light clothing is the priority, and accommodation where you can cool down matters more than in spring.

Autumn and winter: mild starts, wetter days and cold evenings

September keeps much of summer's warmth, averaging 25°C by day and 15°C at night, but rain becomes more frequent. October is gentler for walking at 19°C, though 12 rain days make a waterproof more useful than in summer. November falls to 14°C and is the wettest month, so it suits a trip with flexible outdoor plans rather than a weather-led break. December and January feel distinctly wintry: daytime averages are 10°C and 9°C, with nights close to freezing. February edges up to 11°C by day, but nights still average 2°C. Bring a warm coat and layers throughout winter. With only 3 hours of sunshine in December and January, make use of brighter spells rather than expecting long sunny afternoons.