Palermo Weather: What to Pack
Anyone can check the weather on their phone. What I usually want to know is what I should actually pack. So here’s what the weather in Palermo feels like in real life.
As I used to joke in winter, we basically have two temperatures here: 20 and 30 degrees. In summer, 40 joins the list. But obviously, 20 degrees in January and 20 degrees in May feel completely different.
Let’s start with summer. Palermo is hot and dry. From May to September, rain is rare enough that you usually don’t need to plan around it. What you do need is light, comfortable summer clothing, because summer here is genuinely hot, especially in July and August. I see tourists walking around in sneakers, with no hat, even in the middle of summer, but personally I find that pretty hard.
Rain usually starts becoming more likely around September or October. It depends on the year, so it’s worth checking the forecast. Even then, rain is usually brief. You can still go to the beach, the evenings are a little cooler but you’re still in a T-shirt, and if it does rain, it’s more likely to cool the day down than spoil it. Umbrellas and rain ponchos are sold almost everywhere and usually cost around €5.
Winter in Palermo is mild and rainy. But that often means a day with both rain and sunshine. We rarely get long stretches of non-stop rain like you can get in Asia. It usually comes and goes. Forecasts often show around 20 degrees, and that can be completely accurate. In the sun, a light shirt can be enough. In the shade, though, you’ll definitely want a jacket. Heavy winter clothes are really not necessary.
Spring and autumn are harder to describe, just like almost everywhere else. In November, we still go to the beach, and sometimes even in December. But by the evening, you’ll want a light jacket. Spring is similar: the air can still feel cool, but once you’re in the sun, it already feels almost like summer.
The most important thing to think about if you’re coming during the rainy season is your shoes. If you get caught in a proper downpour, they can take forever to dry. It’s better to have a dry pair to change into, and on warm rainy days, beach shoes are often the easiest option.