Am thinking of going to Sicily in mid March. What's the weather like? Is this going to be a bad time of year? Thanks in advance!

Topping for you, as I would also like to know for a future trip.

Here is Catania, which is typical.
http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/w...461&refer=

It can sometimes be hit or miss, 60s usually, sometimes 70's, while it is rainy you often get a dry day. The Italians will be wrapped up but I found on our arrival I wore pants and short sleeve top for afternoons, light rain jacket for morning and evening and umbrella just in case.
As Bob has pointed out there are 'averages' and many sites you can check.
PS Ramacca usually holds it Artichoke festival in March and the little town of Modica (Ragusa Province) has an OUTSTANDING chocolate festival....well it IS chocolate after all!!) and is a year round delight to visit these specialists at work. Oh I also think Catania has its Jazz Festival in March too.

Thanks much. I only have 5 days. Does it make sense to stay in the southern part of the island? Would it be fair to say that it would be warmer and rain less there?

Sorry, forot to ask. GivenI have 5 days, does it make sense to stay put in 1 place and drive around from there or should I spend the night in different places? Husband prefers the former and I the latter. I'm guessing a compromise is 2 nights in 1 spot and 3 in another. Any suggestions on where they might be? Our travel tends to be very food centric above all else.

SuY,
I went to Sicily in March and had a great time. See my trip report http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34811101

Henry

Dear SuY,

We were in Sicily for the last two weeks in March 2003. We had a week of very cold weather - in the 40's and 50's. It snowed in the higher areas of the island and around Naples. We took photos of the goofy snowman we made on the mid level slopes of Etna.

Now, we loved being there and had a fantastic time. But before we left, I had imagined a more tropical climate, maybe swimming, etc,

I wasn't the only one - friends we made there from Germany and Sweden hadn't even packed a sweater, only one pair of long pants, etc.

My point is to be prepared for a potential range of temperatures. We didn't find that it was warmer in the southern area - more dependant on how much sun was out that day, local elevation, etc.

We stayed for the majority of our trip in Taormina because we were taking language classes. Found it easy for day trips for everything on the eastern half of the island.

But you should make a list of the spots you want to visit, I suspect they will be distributed around the island and day trips from one location won't be possible.

Your idea of a 2/3 split seems very sensible.