Comparing Climate in Italy in July to North America
 

Hi,

I was supposed to leave for Italy in late May but due to complications, I have to delay until end of June / early July, but I am fearful it may be too warm by them? Does anyone have any advice on how humid Rome is? It seems the average high temp is around 86 (or 30 degrees C), but am having trouble with figuring out the actual heat index. In terms of true heat feel is Rome comparable to Boston / New York / Toronto? Or more like LA? Even though Italy is my #1 destination, maybe I should switch to Northern Europe for July? Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Weatherbase.com includes humidity in their statistical records.

http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...e-Latium-Italy

In the US, I've lived in Philadelphia, New York, and Princeton, NJ. I now live in Italy, near the Adriatic Coast, and about as far north as Florence. It's cooler on this coast than it is in Rome and Florence, but I've been to Rome and Florence in the summer multiple times. Florence tends to be hotter than Rome, because, even though it's further north, it's not as near the sea, and it's in a natural bowl which means stagnant air.

I've been to Rome several times during heat waves, and once in Florence. I would consider summer weather in Rome to be similar to New York, and Florence similar to Philadelphia. The humidity tends to be somewhat lower. In Rome, even in mid-summer, I sometimes need a light cotton sweater in the evening.

One difference is that when I lived in New York and Philadelphia, I was rarely outside in the heat all day long. When I visit cities in hot weather, I try to see outdoor sites as early as possible; I take a nap after lunch (a wonderful Italian tradition) and go back outside around four, but try to do more museum visits at that time of day.

A few years ago, it was downright chilly in July. My daughter was doing research in Rome that year, and had to ask me to lend her some jeans and sweaters, because she was freezing, having brought only summer clothing.

>>> is Rome comparable to Boston / New York / Toronto? Or more like LA? <<<

No, Boston doesn't compare. Think much more south for comparison. When my daughter was going to school in Boston, we always said Boston only had 3 weeks of summer and that was in July. Rome/Florence are much hotter. I've never needed a sweater in Rome or Florence in the summer. Residents of those cities tend to try to escape the heat in the latter half of July and August.

Cities tend to feel hotter because of all the concrete/buildings holding the heat. You will also discover that many sites don't have AC and neither do many restaurants. Even if they have AC (if they even turn it on), it's not like the arctic blasts we are used to in the states.

You will survive though, even if it's hot. I survived both Rome and Florence during the big heat wave of 2003 when thousands of people died in Europe. You just need to pace yourself if it's really hot and take breaks mid-day.

and remember that churches, museums and galleries are usually cool inside, even when it's hot - either because of air-con, or due to those lovely thick walls and all that marble.

I live in NJ, and just spent the last two weeks of May in Italy, where we were blessed with lovely weather. Very similar to what we are experiencing at home right now. But I have also been several times in July and August. Yes, it's hot but I've found it to be much less humid than the Northeast. So if it's the humidity that really gets to you, you should be fine, but it does get quitte hot. And crowded too. But Italy in the summer is still better than no Italy at all. So in addition to the great suggestions above, a few more thoughts that may help...
- the beating sun is what really makes it hot. Temps are often considerably cooler in the shade. So you may want to avoid things like standing in the sun for the Wed papal audience, or trekking around sunny Pompeii.
- there are many seaside or hill/mountain areas of Italy that provide cooler temps than the big cities. So maybe consider spending a few days in a city to see the sights, then a few days relaxing at Lake Como or some other fabulous Italian retreat.
-wear a hat and sunscreen.
- eat lots of gelato
- go and enjoy!

The comfort level depends on individuals and where they are from. Historical humidity record as noted above is as objective as you can get. While is is believed best ask the locals, I see disconnects between how the weather is felt by the locals vs. by the visitors. I often see locals wearing sweaters or a leather jacket without a drop of sweat when I am sweating like a pig wearing just a t-shirt.

A note on "Northern Europe." While Italy is "hot" in summer, hotels have A/Cs even though they feel anemic compared to what you find in the U.S. "Northern" countries like Germany, Austria, Denmark, Switzerland, etc., are nearly as hot, but hotels, outside highend business hotels, don't come with A/Cs. My memories with the most uncomfortable nights were in Austria and in Switzerland in July.

You will have to go further north such as Scotland, Ireland, Norway, etc., to escape the heat.

Both are going to be hotter than NYC and Philly - posibly moer like DC.

The key difference is that in the US everyplace has AC - in Italy you will find a substantial number of places (including budget/modest lodgings and restaurants) that either do no have AC at all or seem to keep it turned off. They do not have the concept of keeping the indoors at 72 degrees.

this is the reason we go to Italy in May - plenty hot for us - and not the summer.

Ashley, we are Californians:

Over many decades, we have made it a given habit not to travel anywhere in summer (spring and fall are best). Only twice, have we gone overseas in late summer..Norway (we wore jackets every day)....and Alaska (downright chilly). For southern hemisphere travel, we certainly went by the calendars (April, which is fall) and November when it's still spring. Even once went to Provence and Lanquedoc in the dead of winter, January. Cool but not uncomfortable...jacket weather. And few tourists. Paris was much colder, with the only snow we encountered. I honestly do not recall any travel where weather was a deterrent to our enjoyment.

I like Italy in the summer OK - - there is a reason the shops close in the afternoon - - a good time to chill and relax; spend time out early, and after 430pm. Even the beaches are deserted mid-afternoon! Mid-afternoon is also a good time to take an air-conditioned train between cities. Other than that, seek out shade (avoid large piazzas - - stay in narrow streets with high walls in the afternoon - - and there are plenty of those)!

This is not current, but years ago I did a comparison with Eastern USA cites and Italy. At that time I concluded:

Rome= Atlanta

Tuscany= NC

Venice= Annapolis MD

Just rough guide !

Wow. This thread is just totally crazy.

I live in Italy and have reasons to follow the weather or hear about it in various parts of the US year round. Nothing of what has been said above corresponds to the day by day reality of either Italy or the US.

Anyway, it appears you are concerned about the weather in Rome in July. This weekend in Rome it is going to be 90 degrees, reaching 91 on Tuesday. It could be worse than that in July. No one knows. If that is a deal breaker for you, don't kid yourself. Pick a European destination that interests you where that just doesn't happen in July or, if it does, there is plenty of ways to keep cool and fascinated at the same time.

But if you really secretly don't want to give up Rome, then just book a place with air con, pack light clothes and hope for the best.

>>>>>> Nothing of what has been said above corresponds to the day by day reality of either Italy or the US.

"Nothing"? Seriously?

The contrarian strikes !

My one experience with Rome and Florence was in July. It was hot, even to me who grew up in unairconditioned Georgia. But -- with a hat, drinking plenty of water (not eating heavy food), wearing sensible clothes (woven cotton for me), it was fine. Europe's summer temperatures seem much more variable than Georgia's where you can always count on it being hot. Paris last summer was very cool when we were there but turned hot immediately after we left (this in late June and July). I say go when is conveneient and I wish you good luck with the weather!

I didn't find Rome anywhere near as humid as DC, but in late May, it was hot!

I've traveled to Italy in July/August every year for the last 20 years. Every trip was fab. One summer in Venice it was excruciatingly hot. So, you hop on the vaporetti and enjoy the breezes on the lagoon. This is not rocket science.

It is for someone who can't deal with heat. Under those conditions I would be the b***h of all time - and never stop griping until I was someplace COOL.

Anything more than 75 and sunny and you have lost me - all I want is to sit in a room with AC.

I know a lot of people don't mind the heat - but I can't bear it. Now, the cold, on the other hand, I love - and always have. Give me a nice brisk snowy day to go tramping around the city and I just love it.

Rome heat was humid( closer to Mediterranean than you think)This was end of August. I mean, really, just dress like you would in hot weather in your own country( light clothes, sandals, AC in hotel, eat gelato!)

The weather in Italy is pretty much identical to Northern California. Go inland, it's hotter, and there are hot days and cooler days all summer long but it's not very humid.