While the weather might not be a big factor when deciding on visiting Umbria, it is definitely important when planning your trip. Especially for packing. (I do have a post about things to pack and not to pack here).
Here is a comprehensive look at the climate of Umbria, both season and months, including:
- How long are the days?
- When does the sun set?
- How much does it rain?
- What is the average temperature?
- Will it snow?
So what will the weather be like in Umbria when you’re visiting?
In Umbria there are several microclimates.
Around Terni, in the south of Umbria, it’s almost always 5 degrees warmer than Perugia. In the spring and fall it can be 10 degrees warmer.
Around Lake Trasimeno it’s a bit more humid, so it can seem hotter and colder in the summer and winter.
And in the mountains on the eastern border with Le Marche, you can enjoy snow in the winter and cooler air in the summer.
Umbria Weather in the Spring:
The days are starting to get longer and warmer. For March and April it’s still cold at night, around 5C/41F. In May the days start to warm up, with the possibility of highs of 30C/86F.
In March it’s daylight for around 12 hours, in April it’s a little longer with 13.5 hours of day light, and ending in May with 14.5. Longer days means having enough daylight to enjoy evenings, like sunsets at dinner.
*Note: The time changes in March, 2 weeks after North America, or the last Sunday of March. But even before that the sunsets at around 7pm.
When is sunset and sunrise?
March: Sunrise begins at 6.45am and ends 6.50am. Sunset begins at 6pm and ends at 7.30pm
April: Sunrise begins at 6.50am and ends at 6am. Sunset begins at 7.30pm and ends at 8.10pm
May: Sunrise begins at 6.04am and ends at 5.34am. Sunset begins at 8.10pm and ends at 8.40
Should I expect rain in Spring?
Yes! It can rain a fair amount in March. Less in April, and May can go either way, wetter or drier, so pack a rain jacket and/or umbrella.
March in Umbria
March can be lovely and warm, but winter has not left and it’s almost guaranteed to freeze for a few days. Or weeks. Answer: wear layers.
Everything starts to sprout up in March. It feels like all of Umbria is smiling because the sunny days are warm and the tulips are blooming. Until it freezes. At which point everyone is running around trying to save their lemon tree.
Expect the highs to be around 14C/57F and lows 5C/41F
April in Umbria
It’s fresh, but it doesn’t rain that much, it rains more in March and May.
Pack layers. Some days are wonderfully warm, and others can be freezing. I still don’t risk planting basil or tomatoes in April. A freak frost or snow fall isn’t unusual.
Expect the highs to be around 18C/64F and lows 6C/43F.
May in Umbria
May can feel wet, it rains on average 11 days of the month. It’s a pretty mild temperature, perfect for walking around towns and popping into galleries, museums or a wine tasting to escape a shower.
Or there can be a heat wave. Which feels great because the heat isn’t building up yet.
Expect the highs to be around 23C/73F and lows 10C/50F.
Umbria Weather in the Summer
June has the longest days of the year averaging 15.5 hours of daylight.
In July the days start to get a bit shorter.
And in August I start to notice a difference with 14 hours of daylight, dinner outside at 8pm means it’s dark before we finish eating.
When is sunset and sunrise?
June: Sunrise begins at 5.30am and stays there all month. Sunset begins at 8.50pm and also stay the same.
July: Sunrise begins at 5.30am and ends at 6am. Sunset begins at 8.50pm and ends at 8.30pm
August: Sunrise begins at 6.04am and ends at 6.30am. Sunset begin at 8.30pm and end at 7.47pm
June in Umbria
In June Umbria starts to warm up. The difference between the beginning and the end of the month is usually 10 or more degrees celsius. It normally rains for about a week, but not 7 days straight. By the last week temperatures should be in the 35C, or 95F.
Expect the highs to be around 27C/81F and lows 14C/57F. In 2021 temperatures did reach 36C/97F, a record for the month of June.
It’s the perfect month to sit in a piazza with a glass of something you love and watch the world go by.
July in Umbria
July in Umbria is the driest month of the year. The average number of days it rains is 4. Everything goes a bit brown.
This is summer, although most Italians are working.
Expect the highs to be around 31C/88F and lows 16C/61F
August in Umbria
August is the hottest, and for that I recommend avoiding towns and cities and focusing on escaping to the countryside or mountains to enjoy leisurely meals outside with beautiful scenery.
August the only month you can travel? Make that work for you! Don’t plan on doing much in the afternoon. Get out of the cities and into the mountains. And enjoy the evenings.
The sun already starts setting by 8.30 in August, which I always find sad. I love having dinner outside in the cool air.
Expect the highs to be around 30C/86F and lows 16C/61F
Umbria Weather in the Autumn:
September averages 12.5 of daylight, October 11, and in November the days start to feel very short with only 10 hours.
When is sunset and sunrise?
September: Sunrise begins at 6.39am and ends 7.00am. Sunsets begin at 7.45pm and end at 6.50pm
October: Sunrise begins at 7.00am and ends at 6.45am. Sunsets begin at 6.50pm and ends at 5.00pm
*Note: October has the time change on the last Sunday of the month.
November: Sunrise begins at 6.45am and ends at 7.20am. Sunsets begin at 5.00pm and end at 4.40pm
September in Umbria
In Umbria, September is a lazy introduction to autumn. The heat of the summer hasn’t really left but you can enjoy being outside during the day. It’s also when the vineyards pick all the grapes which is a very fun time to do a wine tour.
Expect the highs to be around 26C/79F and lows 13C/55F.
October in Umbria
October looks like fall, but it still isn’t that cool. By the end of the month the olives are being picked to press into oil. Or head to Perugia for the chocolate festival.
Expect the highs to be around 20C/68F and lows 10C/50F
November in Umbria
Officially the wettest month of the year, with the sun setting by 4.30pm. It seems to be suddenly dark and cold, although there can be some stunning days.
A good month to explore museums without crowds, find a truffle festival, and try some local red wine.
Expect the highs to be around 14C/57F and lows 5C/41F
Umbria Weather in the Winter
The days are short with only 9 hours of daylight in December, ending with 10.5 hours of daylight in February.
When is sunset and sunrise?
December: Sunrise begins at 7.20am and ends 7.40am. Sunsets begin at 4.40pm and end at 4.45pm
January: Sunrise begins at 7.40am and ends at 7.30am. Sunsets begin at 4.45pm and ends at 5.20pm
February: Sunrise begins at 7.30am and ends at 6.50am. Sunsets begin at 5.20pm and end at 6.00pm
So does it snow in Umbria?
It can. Around Castelluccio, in the east, the mountains are high and they get enough snow for skiing. In Terni it’s rare, but at some point in January or February it will probably snow around Perugia. But it doesn’t last for long.
How cold an Umbrian winter?
It’s a damp cold. Usually the lows are around freezing. But on a sunny day in February I’ve definitely taken a nap after lunch outside in a sunny spot.
December in Umbria
Cold short days, like most of the northern hemisphere. A spritz is probably not what you’ll be craving. The local red wines with a plate of pasta, or chickpea soup, is a better idea.
Expect the highs to be around 9C/48F and lows 2C/36F
January in Umbria
January is cold. It will be at freezing temperatures for at least one week of the month. It only gets about 6 days of rain though. The days are short. A great time of year to go to concerts, museums and galleries. And enjoy a wood fire in the evenings.
Expect the highs to be around 9C/48F and lows 1C/43F
February in Umbria
Here’s the thing. In the shade it’s cold. But if it’s a sunny day, without wind, you can sit and enjoy lunch outside. Without a jacket on.
On average it rains 7 days of the month. You definitely want a winter jacket, because once the sun goes down it will be freezing.
Expect the highs to be around 11C/52F and lows 2C/36F.
So when is the Weather in Umbria perfect for you visit?
Everyone is different, but the only month I won’t suggest is August, between the heat and the crowds, I tend to just stay home in August.
My favourite month is trickier. Maybe June, when it’s hot like summer, but the nights still cool down and the days are long.
Looking for what the weather is like now in Umbria? I tend to use accuweather
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