Climate Overview
Sicily has a hot, dry Mediterranean climate with Europe's highest summer temperatures. The Scirocco, a hot south wind from the Sahara, can drive temperatures above 45°C in summer. The coasts are milder, the interior more extreme, and Etna has its own alpine climate.
| Region | Summer (Jun–Aug) | Winter (Dec–Feb) | Special Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| North Coast (Palermo) | 28–35°C | 10–16°C | More humid climate, more rain |
| East Coast (Catania) | 30–40°C | 10–16°C | Hot, Etna influence |
| South Coast (Agrigento) | 30–42°C | 10–17°C | Hottest region, Scirocco |
| Etna (Summit) | 5–15°C | -10 to 0°C | Snow Nov–Apr, ski area |
| Interior (Enna) | 25–35°C | 5–12°C | Cooler, greener, fog |
Water Temperatures: The sea warms up to 22°C from June and reaches 26–28°C in August/September — suitable for swimming until the end of October. The south coast tends to be warmer than the north.
Scirocco: The notorious desert wind from the Sahara brings extreme heat in summer (up to 48°C in the shade!), sand dust, and oppressive humidity. Fortunately, Scirocco days are rare (5–10 per summer), but when it blows, only air conditioning or a dip in the sea helps.
