My husband and I will be in Rome,Pompei, Florence and then Venice May 4th through the 14th. I am seeing alot of posts stating that May is pretty hot, yet the average temps are said to be between 58-72. Am I missing something? I live in Florida so to me this sounds like jeans, long sleeves and possibly a light sweater weather. We will be back- packing, so we need to pack as light as possible. Help!

Hi A,

The Mediterranean climate is similar to the Floridian climate - hot sun.

You should find Pompeii much like at home.

Rome is more Northern. Lat 41 N, vs Lat 25 N for Miami.

> said to be between 58-72. Am I missing something?
No, that's quite correct. Nice spring weather not hot at all.

Those are just averages. It is most likely that temps will be somewhere around those averages, but it can be hotter or cooler. It just depends on conditions at the particular time you happen to be there. It could be in the mid-80s for highs, or around freezing for lows--or ????.

But if it is hotter, you can always buy a couple of lighter shirts.

I've been near Venice in May (at Vicenza) and found it beginning to get humid but not hot as we Southerners think of it.

Annika1, In the first half of May, 2004 my wife and I thought we would freeze in Tuscany! Being Floridians like you, we were not used to that cold weather, which was a little below average for them. However we very much enjoy our still new Tuscan leather jackets on the rare occasions we get to wear them. So we are planning a return trip for early next May. Have a great time. GianniFL

Just check the weather before you go. We were there those same time periods and Venice was wonderful, but we had to have the A/C on in Rome. It was hot!

I live in Michigan, so I'm used to May being anywhere between 20 and 100 degrees. I think that is what you are missing. In Florida, there isn't ever too great a transistion between temps, correct? In Rome, it could be about anything. Check the 10 day forecast before that final suitcase zip up.

In Rome and Pompeii I wore capris and sandals with a long sleeved light shirt over a t-shirt that I could take off. The sun is pretty intense.

Annika1, I have to say that I completely agree with GianniFL about the weather. Definately cooler temperatures than expected in the first part of May. Also, GianniFL, if you read this post again, may I ask where you purchased your Tuscan leather jackets? I am in the market for one! Have a beautiful trip!

We were in Venice, Rome, and Capri last year but at the end of May. It was quite warm. I found layers to work best...tank top, light jacket, capris.
We are also from Florida and I would agree that the weather is very similar to what we have here in this state at that time of year...cool in the North, warm in the South.

I'll be in Florence May 22-28, so I'm glad you asked this question. Thanks!

Annika1: Maybe we'll run into you. We're in Rome, Florence, Venice (May 5-13 and then Le Marche.
Thanks for asking the question. I'm from Arizona, so minus the humidity of Fl., I have the same time figuring out temps in other places. Anything under 70 and I'm cold.
Vera