Rome has a classic Mediterranean climate: hot, dry, sunny summers and mild, wetter winters, with autumn the stormiest season. Its clock runs on Central European Time, with daylight saving from late March to late October.
Climate overview
Rome has a hot-summer Mediterranean climate (Köppen Csa). It lies a short distance inland from the Tyrrhenian Sea, which brings refreshing afternoon sea breezes, called the ponentino, on many summer days.
Average highs range from 12°C in January to 32°C in August. Annual rainfall is about 920 mm, falling on around 85 days, but it is concentrated in autumn and winter: November is the wettest month at about 132 mm, while August sees only about 34 mm. Autumn storms can be short but intense.
Rome through the seasons
Winter (December to February)
Winters are mild for the latitude, with highs of 12–13°C and lows of 3–5°C. Rainy days alternate with crisp, sunny ones; December brings rain on about 9 days. Frost is occasional and snow is rare: when it does fall, it is a talked-about event.
Spring (March to May)
Spring is gentle and increasingly sunny, warming from 16°C in March to 23°C in May. Showers still come and go, with rain on about 8 days in April, and become less frequent by late May. This is one of the most pleasant times to explore the city's ruins and piazzas on foot.
Summer (June to August)
Summer is hot, dry and bright, with highs of 28–32°C and occasional heatwaves that go well beyond that. July and August are the driest months, with rain on only about 3 days each. Many locals leave the city around Ferragosto in mid-August, and some businesses close.
Autumn (September to November)
September remains warm at about 27°C. October and November bring the wettest weather of the year, often as heavy thunderstorms, with November averaging rain on about 11 days. Temperatures fall to around 17°C by November.
What makes Rome's weather distinctive
The ponentino, a westerly sea breeze, often arrives in the afternoon in summer and brings relief from the heat. Without it, the stone streets and buildings of the historic centre absorb and radiate heat well into the evening, and nights in summer stay warm at around 20°C.
Autumn rain is the other feature worth knowing about. Storms from the Mediterranean can drop a large amount of rain in a few hours, especially in October and November, briefly flooding streets and underpasses. The Tiber, walled in by high embankments since the late nineteenth century, can rise fast after heavy rain upstream.
Sun and shade matter too. Ancient sites such as the Forum and the Palatine have little shade, and the light reflects off pale stone, so summer sightseeing is best done early or late in the day. Our Weather page shows live conditions and the forecast.
Best time to visit Rome
The best times to visit Rome are April to June, when highs run from 19°C to 28°C, and September to October, at 22–27°C. These months make long days of sightseeing comfortable.
July and August are hot and crowded with visitors. Winter is quieter, mild and good for museums, though you should expect some rainy days; Christmas and Easter bring large crowds to the Vatican.
In summer, start sightseeing early, rest in the hottest part of the afternoon and head out again in the evening, as Romans do. The city's many drinking fountains (nasoni) make refilling a water bottle easy.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothing for summer
- Clothes that cover shoulders and knees for churches, including St Peter's Basilica
- Comfortable shoes for cobblestones and long walks
- A compact umbrella from October to March
- Sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat: shade can be scarce at ancient sites
Time in Rome
Rome uses the Europe/Rome time zone: Central European Time, UTC+1, in winter, and UTC+2 in summer. Clocks go forward on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October, as across the European Union, and Vatican City follows the same time. The next change forward is on 28 March 2027, and the next change back is on 31 October 2027. Right now Rome is on UTC+1, which makes it 1 hour ahead of London. Rome also gave the world its calendar: the Gregorian calendar, used almost everywhere today, was introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582. Many shops and offices outside the centre still close for a long lunch break, so plan calls accordingly.
| With | Difference | Time in Rome | Their time |
|---|---|---|---|
| London | −1 h | 10:00–18:00 | 09:00–17:00 |
| New York | −6 h | 15:00–18:00 | 09:00–12:00 |
| Dubai | +3 h | 09:00–15:00 | 12:00–18:00 |
| Tokyo | +8 h | 09:00–10:00 | 17:00–18:00 |
| Sydney | +10 h | No overlap | – |
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20 March | 06:13 | 18:21 | 12 h 8 min |
| 21 June | 05:34 | 20:48 | 15 h 13 min |
| 22 September | 06:57 | 19:08 | 12 h 10 min |
| 21 December | 07:34 | 16:41 | 9 h 7 min |
Frequently asked questions
What is the hottest month in Rome?
August, with average highs of 32°C, and July is almost as hot. Heatwaves can push temperatures well above the average.
When does it rain most in Rome?
October to December are the wettest months, with November averaging about 132 mm. Summers are very dry.
Is winter a good time to visit Rome?
For many visitors, yes. Days are mild at 12–13°C, crowds are smaller, and indoor attractions such as the Vatican Museums are easier to enjoy.
Does it snow in Rome?
Very rarely. Snow settles in the city only once every few years at most, and frost is occasional on clear winter nights.
Does Italy use daylight saving time?
Yes. Clocks go forward an hour on the last Sunday in March and back on the last Sunday in October.