Italy, with its diverse climates, is divided into five distinct regions: the northeast, northwest, centre, south and the islands. In the northern mountainous regions of the Alps, villages and cities often experience long, cold winters with heavy snowfall along with rain and hail. Morning lows in winter are often well below freezing, sometimes plunging to as low as -22°F (-30°C). Summers are mild, with 81°F (27°C) being the average high in July, the region's hottest month. Even during this period, there may be snowfall.
Venturing further south, metropolitan areas like Milan and Venice encounter extreme weather variations. Severe wet and foggy winters with close to freezing average temperatures of around 36°F (2°C) and hot and humid summers with a few short bursts of cold spells and hailstorms. Summer temperatures can soar to 90°F (32°C).
Locations like Naples further south experience a moderate Mediterranean climate, with scorching, dry summers and gentle winters. The warmest month in this region is August, which can bring blistering temperatures of up to 108°F (42°C). Winter lows, on the other hand, are usually around a manageable 48°F (9°C).
Spring and autumn, though fleeting, usher in the most pleasant weather conditions in Italy, marking a mild respite between the extremes.