Summer in Florence means long, sunny days, warm evenings, and some of the hottest weather you’ll find in Italy. Daytime highs usually hit 30–33 °C (86–91 °F), and it’s not unheard of for temps to spike above 38 °C (100 °F). Nights cool off enough to feel comfortable, but the heat can hang around, especially in July and August.
Rain doesn’t show up much in summer, though a quick afternoon thunderstorm might break up the heat now and then. Humidity stays moderate, especially compared to the stickier coastal areas, so the dry warmth is honestly easier to handle. With about 10 to 11 hours of sunshine at the season’s peak, you’ll have loads of daylight to wander Florence’s streets, museums, and piazzas.
It helps to know how the season changes month by month. Early summer tends to feel warm and pleasant, but late summer sometimes brings intense heat waves. If you know what’s coming, you can pick the best time for your trip and get ready for Florence’s unique summer vibe.
Florence’s Summer Climate Overview
Florence gets hot, dry summers because it sits inland, surrounded by hills. The climate here means long daylight, not much rain, and steady warmth. It’s pretty predictable and definitely different from what you’d find along the coast.
Geographical Influences on Weather
Florence sits in a basin along the Arno River, with the Apennine Mountains to the north and Tuscan hills wrapping around the rest. This setup traps heat during the day, so summer afternoons feel warmer than in nearby coastal towns.
Since Florence is inland, you miss out on those cooling sea breezes. The air often feels still, with average wind speeds of about 5–6 mph. The mountains block some rain systems, so summer precipitation stays low, averaging about 1.4 inches per month.
Daytime highs usually land in the mid-80s °F (29–31 °C), but heat waves sometimes push temps above 95 °F (35 °C). Nights drop to the low 60s °F (16–18 °C), which brings some relief. July stands out as the clearest month, with skies clear or mostly clear more than 80% of the time.
Köppen Climate Classification
Florence falls into the Csa classification—a Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters. You’ll notice a sharp difference between the warm, sunny summer and the cooler, wetter months from late autumn through early spring.
Rainfall rarely sticks around in summer. The chance of a wet day drops below 20%. The dry weather, plus daylight that stretches up to 15 hours in June, really defines the season.
Humidity starts off pretty low but rises in August, making muggy days more common. Still, Florence usually feels more comfortable than coastal Mediterranean spots, where humidity just lingers. That’s probably why summer here feels hot, but not always suffocating—shade and evening hours become the best time for outdoor plans.
Typical Summer Temperatures in Florence
Florence’s summer brings warm to hot conditions with steady highs, mild nights, and the occasional extreme heat. Daily patterns stay pretty predictable, but there’s still some variation between June, July, and August.
Average Highs and Lows by Month
Temperatures climb from early June through mid-August. In June, average highs hit about 78°F (25°C), while lows dip to 57°F (14°C). By July, highs go up to 85°F (29°C) and lows reach 63°F (17°C). August keeps things hot, with highs near 90°F (32°C) and lows around 66°F (19°C).
The hottest stretch usually lands in early August. Sometimes, highs push past 95°F (35°C), but most days stay just under that. Nights feel comfortable, especially in June, though they get warmer and a bit more humid as summer goes on.
| Month | Avg High °F (°C) | Avg Low °F (°C) |
|---|---|---|
| June | 78°F (25°C) | 57°F (14°C) |
| July | 85°F (29°C) | 63°F (17°C) |
| August | 90°F (32°C) | 66°F (19°C) |
Temperature Swings and Extremes
Florence’s daytime highs and nighttime lows often differ by 20–25°F (11–14°C). You’ll notice the biggest swing in June, when mornings start cool and afternoons heat up fast. By August, nights stay warmer, so the gap between day and night shrinks a bit.
Extreme heat happens. On the hottest days, temps can shoot past 100°F (38°C), especially in late July and early August. These hot spells don’t last long, but they can make the city feel stifling, especially where shade is hard to find.
Winter temps don’t really matter for summer plans, but just for context—Florence’s coldest January days average around 35–50°F (2–10°C). The shift across the year is pretty dramatic.
Hourly Temperature Variations
Summer days in Florence follow a pretty clear pattern. Mornings start mild, often in the low 60s°F (16–18°C) in June and closer to the high 60s°F (19–20°C) in August. Temps rise quickly, peaking between 2:00 PM and 5:00 PM.
Evenings cool off slowly. By 10:00 PM, most summer nights settle into the 60s°F (16–20°C), which feels great for outdoor dining. Overnight lows rarely get chilly, so you can expect warm nights all season long.
July and August afternoons heat up the fastest, since the city’s stone streets and buildings trap warmth. Sometimes it feels hotter than the official temperature, especially in the historic center.
Rainfall and Humidity Patterns
Florence’s summer brings hot, dry weather with just occasional rain. Rainfall drops way off compared to spring or autumn, and humidity levels change a bit as summer moves along.
Monthly Rainfall Totals
Rain in Florence drops sharply once summer hits. June usually sees about 50–60 mm spread over a few days. July is the driest, averaging only 30–35 mm and less than a week with measurable rain. August bumps up a bit to around 45–55 mm.
Most of the rain comes as quick afternoon or evening thunderstorms. These storms can be strong but don’t last long, so you get plenty of dry weather. For comparison, November averages over 120 mm, so summer is much drier.
| Month | Avg. Rainfall (mm) | Rainy Days |
|---|---|---|
| June | ~55 | 8–9 |
| July | ~32 | 6–7 |
| August | ~50 | 7–8 |
July stands out as the driest stretch.
Chance of Wet Days
You probably won’t run into much rain during a Florence summer. In June, about one in four days brings some rain. By July, it drops to one in five. August goes up a little but still stays drier than spring or autumn.
If rain does fall, it usually comes in quick bursts, not steady showers. Even on a rainy day, you’ll likely get plenty of dry, sunny hours. Evening thunderstorms are the most common type of summer rain.
For planning, expect most days to be dry, especially in July. Still, packing a light rain jacket isn’t a bad idea—those sudden storms can pack a punch.
Humidity Levels During Summer
Humidity in Florence shifts as summer goes on. June feels more comfortable, with moderate humidity balancing out the warmth. By July, the air dries out a bit, so the heat doesn’t feel quite as heavy even though temps are higher.
August brings more humidity, paired with hotter afternoons. This combo can make the city feel muggy, especially in crowded spots with little breeze. Nights in August often stay warm and a little sticky, so there’s less relief after sunset.
If you’re sensitive to humidity, early summer is the easiest to handle. Later on, high humidity plus temps above 30°C (86°F) can feel uncomfortable, especially if you’re out and about.
Sunshine, Daylight, and Cloud Cover
Florence’s summer means long, bright days and plenty of sunshine. Clouds thin out as the season moves on, so July and August are especially clear compared to the cloudier spring months.
Hours of Sunshine
Florence gets its most sunshine in summer. In June, you’re looking at about 290 hours—almost 10 hours a day. July is the sunniest month, with around 346 hours or 11.5 hours daily. August stays bright too, with about 300 hours of sunshine.
Those long sunny days are perfect for exploring. Museums, piazzas, and gardens stay well-lit into the evening, so you’ve got more time to enjoy the city. Compared to winter, when you only get about 3 hours of sun a day, summer feels way more open and lively.
Quick breakdown:
| Month | Total Hours of Sun | Avg Daily Hours |
|---|---|---|
| June | ~290 | ~9.7 |
| July | ~346 | ~11.5 |
| August | ~300 | ~9.7 |
Length of Daylight
Daylight in Florence peaks in late June, right around the summer solstice. You’ll get about 15 hours of daylight, with sunrise before 6:00 AM and sunset after 9:00 PM.
By July, you lose a little daylight—down to about 14.5 hours. In August, it drops further to around 13.5 hours. Still, there’s plenty of time for sightseeing or day trips around Tuscany.
Early summer feels especially long and bright, while late summer evenings come a bit earlier. Good to keep in mind if you’re planning late dinners or outdoor events.
Cloud Cover Trends
Clouds thin out as summer goes on in Florence. In June, skies are partly cloudy about 40% of the time. By July, that drops to 30%. August keeps things mostly clear, with lots of sun.
July is usually the clearest month. You’ll see fewer gray days than in spring, when rain and clouds pop up more often.
Clear skies also mean stronger sun, so you’ll want to use sunscreen and carry water. Midday hours can get intense when there’s not much shade.
Basically, summer in Florence means fewer clouds, steady sunshine, and long days that are just made for exploring.
Summer Weather in Florence by Month
Florence’s summer brings long days, strong sunshine, and some of Italy’s highest temperatures. The afternoons heat up quickly, but nights usually cool off enough to stay comfortable. Rain is rare but can show up in short thunderstorms, especially early in summer or late August.
June Weather Highlights
June kicks off real summer in Florence. Daytime highs reach 29 °C (84 °F), and nights cool to about 16 °C (61 °F). Evenings feel great for walking or eating outside.
Rainfall is moderate, with around 55 mm coming down over a few days. Showers usually show up as quick storms, not all-day rain. Sunshine is everywhere, averaging 10 hours per day, so you get long daylight for sightseeing.
Humidity stays manageable, and breezes sometimes help out in the evenings. Early June feels more comfortable, while late June can already see days climbing above 32 °C (90 °F). If you want milder weather, June often gives the best mix of warmth and comfort.
July Weather Highlights
July brings the hottest weather to Florence. Average highs hit 32 °C (90 °F), but many afternoons push up to 36–38 °C (97–100 °F).
Nights cool down to about 18 °C (64 °F), which offers a bit of relief. Still, the city sits in a valley, so the heat tends to linger and afternoons can feel pretty intense.
Rain barely shows up, with only about 35 mm spread across just a few days. Most days stay dry and sunny.
You’ll get up to 11 hours of sunshine daily, and the skies usually stay clear.
Humidity doesn’t reach the sticky levels you find in coastal cities, so the heat feels a bit more manageable. Even so, you’ll probably want to find shade or duck indoors during the hottest hours.
If you’re planning outdoor activities, try to go early in the morning or later in the evening. Spend the hottest part of the day indoors, maybe exploring a museum or grabbing a cool drink somewhere.
August Weather Highlights
August doesn’t let up on the heat. You’ll see average highs around 33 °C (91 °F), and nights hover near 19 °C (66 °F).
Sometimes heatwaves push the temperature up to 40 °C (104 °F), making sightseeing outdoors feel like a real challenge.
Rain picks up a bit compared to July, with about 55 mm falling, usually as sudden thunderstorms. These storms cool things off for a short while, but the heat tends to come right back.
Sunshine sticks around for about 10 hours a day. By late August, you might notice more clouds and a few scattered showers.
The city often feels quieter in mid-August. Many Italians take holidays, so some businesses might close or change their hours. If you don’t mind the heat, evenings can be lively and warm—perfect for enjoying Florence after sunset.
Comparing Summer to Other Seasons
Florence’s summer means long, hot days and plenty of sunshine. But things change fast when the seasons turn. Rain, temperature, and daylight all shift in ways that impact your comfort and travel plans.
Differences from Autumn in Florence
Florence starts autumn warm in September, but things turn wetter and cooler by October and November.
While summer highs average around 32–33 °C (90–91 °F), autumn highs drop to about 21–27 °C (70–81 °F) by the middle of the season. Nights cool off even faster, often dipping below 15 °C (59 °F) by October.
Rain really sets autumn apart. Summer stays mostly dry, with about 35 mm in July, but autumn gets much wetter. October and November often bring 100–115 mm of rain per month, and cloudy days show up more often.
Afternoon storms happen a lot, and heavy downpours can cut sightseeing short.
You’ll also notice the daylight shrinking. In July, you get about 15 hours of light, but by November, that drops to roughly 9.5 hours. That really limits how much time you want to spend outside.
If you visit in autumn, you’ll need to stay flexible. Pack rain gear or have some indoor backup plans. In summer, you’ll want sun protection and plenty of water instead.
Contrasts with Winter in Florence
Winter in Florence feels pretty mild compared to northern Europe, but you can definitely sense a big contrast to summer. Average highs in January and February hover around 11–12 °C (52–54 °F). Lows often drop close to freezing, and on the coldest nights, you might see -5 °C (23 °F) or even lower.
Snow doesn’t show up often, but it’s not impossible. When snow falls, it usually vanishes fast, although some years have surprised folks with heavier snow.
Summer, on the other hand, can get downright hot. Temperatures sometimes push above 36 °C (97 °F), and nights hang around 18–20 °C (64–68 °F), which feels a world away from winter.
Sunshine really sets the seasons apart. Winter only offers about 3–4 hours of sun per day. In July, you get 10–11 hours—a huge difference.
Clouds and dampness take over in winter, and sometimes fog rolls into the valley.
You notice a shift in the city’s vibe, too. People fill the streets on summer evenings, but in winter, things quiet down and most folks head indoors.
If you like cooler air and don’t mind missing out on long sunny days, winter gives Florence a calmer, less crowded feel.