Livorno’s coastal position means that, compared with areas of inland Tuscany, it enjoys a relatively mild climate during the winter months and is usually a few degrees cooler during the summer. It is no coincidence that the roads are jam-packed with Florentines heading for the coast at the weekends from June to September!

Spring
March, April, May - This is when the weather usually begins to warm up again after the winter. March and April can be quite changeable with a fair amount of rain, but then again, Easter on the beach is not unheard of. The sea temperature also gradually starts to rise, although the only bathers in April are visitors from northern Europe! There is lots of colour, with all the fruit trees in blossom and the spring flowers in bloom. The markets dazzle with all their bright green vegetables, like broad beans and peas, many of which are celebrated, and can be tasted, at the local festivals known as Sagre.

Summer
bouganvillea and star jasmineJune, July, August and early September - The second half of June often sees some very warm and sunny weather. The schools have already closed, and all the private bathing establishments (Bagni) in town and all along the coast have opened up to accommodate the sunworshippers.

The Livornese are probably some of the country’s greatest lovers of the sun: from June to September most people’s lives are arranged around the beach and it is often jokingly said that not much work is done in Livorno during this season as everyone always seems to be lounging around by the sea!
lounging about by the sea in LivornoIt gets very hot in July and August but there is usually a good sea breeze to keep things bearable. The sea is beautifully warm for swimming or just as a cooling relief from the sun. The long period of steady hot sunny days is often broken up around the middle of August by thunderstorms, but temperatures stay high until early September.

Autumn Late September, October, early November - Although it can still be quite warm in the second half of September, you start to realise autumn is on its way in the evenings when the temperature begins to drop. However, Livorno usually enjoys some very mild weather conditions at this time of year and our central heating doesn’t usually go on until November. We normally get some wet days now, especially as we move into October and November. The grape harvest takes place during this period and, as in the spring, this is a good excuse to visit a village sagra on a Sunday afternoon to taste some vino novello or other seasonal produce like chestnuts and mushrooms. The countryside is awash with golden tints as the leaves begin to turn colour and fall to the ground.

Winter
Late November, December, January, February - The weather in Livorno during the winter is never as cold as it is in other parts of Tuscany, such as Florence. Snow is rare, although the winter of 2005-2006 did bring a sprinkling to the town and a bit more to the surrounding hills. The coldest time is usually in January and February but temperatures rarely go below freezing. There are often some lovely crisp clear days which bring the local population out for a post-lunchtime walk along the seafront.

The Winds
Libeccio – a gusty south-westerly wind most common in winter
Scirocco – this hot wind blows from the south-east, from the Sahara desert. Most common in spring and autumn
Tramontana – a cold northerly wind common in the winter.
Grecale – a cold dry north-easterly wind common in this area in the winter months
Maestrale – a cold dry north-westerly wind also common in the winter.