Catania enjoys a classic Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild, wetter winters. Summer highs often reach 32–34°C, while winter days are usually around 15°C. Rain is most common from October to March, and sunshine is abundant year-round, making this Sicilian city a welcoming destination in every season.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Catania, located on Sicily’s east coast, is known for its hot-summer Mediterranean climate. Summers (June–September) are long, hot, and sunny, with average highs of 31–33°C in July and August. Heatwaves from Africa can occasionally push temperatures above 40°C, especially in late July and August. Rain is rare in summer, and humidity is moderate, tempered by sea breezes that bring some relief in the afternoons. The city enjoys up to 11.5 hours of sunshine per day in July, making it ideal for beachgoers and outdoor events.
Winters (December–February) are mild, with average highs of 15–17°C and lows around 5–7°C. Nighttime temperatures can occasionally dip to freezing, but snow in the city is extremely rare – though visible on nearby Mount Etna. Rainfall is concentrated from October to March, with November and December being the wettest months. Annual precipitation averages 550–700 mm, but totals can vary widely from year to year. Spring and autumn are transitional, with pleasant temperatures (18–25°C), blooming gardens, and moderate rainfall. Catania enjoys 2,700–2,800 hours of sunshine annually, with the sunniest months from May to September. Winds are generally light in summer (around 6 km/h), picking up in autumn and winter.
| Average climate data for Catania, Italy | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 14 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 24 | 29 | 32 | 32 | 28 | 23 | 19 | 15 | 32 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 7 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 14 | 19 | 23 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 13 | 9 | 7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 26 | 35 | 38 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 26 | 48 | 40 | 15 | 274 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 8 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 92 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 75 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 63 | 55 | 49 | 52 | 62 | 70 | 75 | 73 | 66 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 12 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 11 | 12 | 10 |
| Average water temperature (°C) | 15 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 19 | 23 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 23 | 20 | 17 | 20 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 27 | 25 | 25 | 26 | 17 | 11 | 7 | 9 | 16 | 23 | 24 | 22 | 19 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 5 |
The best time to visit Catania is from mid-April to mid-June and mid-September to mid-October. During these periods, temperatures are comfortably warm (18–27°C), rainfall is moderate, and the city is less crowded. These months are perfect for sightseeing, outdoor dining, and enjoying Catania’s vibrant culture without the intense summer heat or winter rain.
The least favourable time to visit is late July and August, when heatwaves can push temperatures above 40°C, making outdoor activities uncomfortable. November and December can also be challenging due to frequent rain and occasional storms, though temperatures remain mild. If you prefer drier, cooler weather, avoid the rainy winter months.
Catania has hot, dry summers (31–34°C), mild winters (15–17°C), and moderate rainfall mainly from October to March. Sunshine is abundant, and the city rarely experiences snow, thanks to its coastal location and Mount Etna’s shelter.
July and August are ideal for beach holidays, with hot, sunny weather and sea temperatures at their warmest. June and September are also good, offering warm days, pleasant evenings, and fewer crowds.
Snow is extremely rare in Catania itself, but nearby Mount Etna often has snow in winter. In the city, winter lows can reach freezing, but snowfall is an exceptional event.
Catania enjoys about 2,700–2,800 hours of sunshine per year. The sunniest months are May to September, with up to 11.5 hours of sunshine daily in July. Even in winter, there are 4–5 hours of sun most days.
Late July and August can be very hot, with highs above 40°C during heatwaves. Sightseeing is best done early in the morning or evening, and it’s important to stay hydrated and take breaks in shaded or air-conditioned places.
Pack light, breathable clothes and sun protection for summer, layers and a rain jacket for spring and autumn, and a warm coat for winter evenings. Comfortable shoes are essential for city walks year-round.
Rainfall is highest from October to March, with November and December being the wettest months. Summer is very dry, with little rain from June to August.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (32.3 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (14.1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 22.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (23.4 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (6.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 14.2 °C.
The month with the highest average water temperature is August (26.2 °C). The month with the lowest average water temperature is February (14.7 °C). Overall, the average water temperature over the whole year is 20 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is October (47.7 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is August (5 mm). Over the whole year there are 273.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is October (12.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is July (3.5 days). Over the whole year there are 91.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (0.2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 0.8 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (74.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (49.4 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 65.8 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (12.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is September (8.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 10.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is January (26.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (7.4 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 19.4 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 14.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 9.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 12.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 6 h). Over the whole year there are 8.8 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are February and December (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 5.
