Varenna, nestled on the shores of Lake Como in Lombardy, features a humid temperate climate with warm, wet summers and cold, damp winters. The town experiences significant seasonal contrasts, abundant rainfall, and frequent cloud cover. With long summer days, lush landscapes, and atmospheric winter mists, Varenna is a scenic destination for relaxation and exploration year-round.
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.
Varenna’s climate is characterised by four distinct seasons and notable temperature swings. Summers (June–August) are warm, humid, and wet, with average highs of 24–27°C and lows of 16–18°C. July is the hottest month, occasionally reaching 31°C, and also the sunniest, with up to 11 hours of sunshine per day. Rainfall is frequent and heavy in summer, especially in June, which averages 204 mm of precipitation over 16 rainy days. The lake and surrounding mountains moderate the heat, and gentle breezes are common in the afternoons.
Winters (December–February) are cold and damp, with average highs of 5–9°C and lows near 0°C. January is the coldest month, and nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing. Snow is possible but not frequent, and most winter precipitation falls as rain or sleet. Days are short and often cloudy, with just 5–6 hours of sunshine and about 8–9 hours of daylight. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to warm temperatures (13–22°C), frequent showers, and vibrant foliage or blossoming flowers. Annual precipitation is high, averaging 1,800–1,900 mm, and Varenna enjoys about 1,800–2,000 hours of sunshine per year, supporting lush gardens and forests.
| Average climate data for Varenna, Italy | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 4 | 5 | 9 | 13 | 17 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 8 | 5 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -3 | -2 | 1 | 4 | 6 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 9 | 6 | 2 | -2 | -3 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 37 | 57 | 75 | 140 | 152 | 159 | 152 | 192 | 89 | 121 | 180 | 59 | 1,414 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 9 | 10 | 14 | 19 | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 17 | 12 | 14 | 9 | 191 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 16 | 17 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 20 | 74 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 74 | 76 | 77 | 77 | 77 | 76 | 76 | 78 | 80 | 78 | 80 | 74 | 77 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 6 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 10 | 9 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 8 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 33 | 38 | 39 | 41 | 39 | 34 | 27 | 30 | 32 | 38 | 44 | 31 | 35 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Varenna is from May to September, when temperatures are warmest (20–27°C), days are longest, and the town is lively with lakeside activities, gardens in bloom, and outdoor events. These months offer ideal conditions for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying Lake Como’s scenic beauty, though summer is also the wettest period.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and frequent rain, fog, or occasional snow can limit outdoor activities. While winter is atmospheric and peaceful, the cold, damp, and dark conditions may not appeal to all travellers, though the town remains charming for those seeking a quiet escape.
Varenna has a humid temperate climate with warm, wet summers and cold, damp winters. Rain falls year-round, with peaks in late spring and summer. Summers are ideal for outdoor activities, while winters are chilly and often cloudy.
The best time to visit Varenna is from May to September, when the weather is warm, days are long, and the town is vibrant with lakeside activities and festivals. Early autumn is also pleasant for sightseeing and colourful landscapes.
Snow is possible in Varenna from December to February, but accumulations are usually light and short-lived. Most winter precipitation falls as rain or sleet, with foggy mornings common.
Varenna receives about 1,800–1,900 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls throughout the year, with the wettest months in June and July, and the driest in January and February.
Summer highs in Varenna typically reach 24–27°C, with July being the warmest month. Heatwaves above 31°C are rare, and evenings are usually comfortable for lakeside strolls.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket or umbrella for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cold, damp conditions.
Winds in Varenna are generally gentle, averaging 10–15 km/h, but can be brisk during storms. The lakeside location means breezy conditions are common, especially in spring and autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (23.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (3.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (12.3 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-2.6 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 4.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (192.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (37.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,413.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (22.6 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (8.7 days). Over the whole year there are 190.8 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (20 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August, September and October (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 73.9 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (2.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 6.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is November (79.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is December (73.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.7 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is July (7.7 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is November (6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.1 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is November (43.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is July (26.7 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 35.3 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8.1 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 July (Average sunshine: 11 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 5.1 h). Over the whole year there are 7.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.2.
