Does It Snow in Florence Italy?

When I went to Florence last, it was in December. I kept asking my family, does it snow in Florence, Italy? They basically told me that it's very, very limited when it comes to snow. But when it does, it's absolutely beautiful. It's probably to do with the fact that it's a very rare occurrence.

Florence snow patterns and frequency

In terms of Florence's snow patterns and frequency, as I said, snow in Florence occurs very rarely, and we're talking about only a few times every 10 years or so. While I was there, when I was asking some of the locals when I went in the winter, they told me every five to ten years is when it does snow quite often, making it a special event during the Christmas season.

Florence's location is very close to the Arno Valley, so basically it's surrounded by a lot of hills, and because of that it actually has its own microclimate. That keeps the temperatures just above freezing, which is 0 degrees, during those winter months.

When does it snow in Florence by month

So when we look at the average temperatures, the most likely months for it to snow are during cold snaps, when the Arctic air pushes south across Europe. This is around January to February. The average lows are about 2 to 3 degrees, so very close to that 0-degree level, and that's the average for the whole month.

So sometimes it does hit that time, and despite it being that low in temperature and sometimes hitting 0 degrees or lower, sometimes the snowfall is just like that light dust that melts really quickly. Then there are amazing snowy days, but you don't have to go to the office or go to school.

You also have December, which is similar in temperature. March is a bit more uncommon because the average temperature is about 5 degrees throughout the month.

Recent snow events in Florence

In terms of the most recent snow events in Florence, there was snow in January 2026. The city got more light dustings, and then it fell to water. However, outside the city, you could just about pick up a snowball, and it looked absolutely amazing. But then, when you pick up the snowball, it starts to melt quite fast.

I think the next best one was probably the winter of 2012, where Florence had a ton of snow, and it was actually in February, which is a little bit more interesting. It was one of the coldest weeks they had in 27 years, so a few of the motorways were closed, schools were closed in some of the towns.

This was at the beginning of February, and it reached almost -5 degrees. Here you could actually pick up a snowball, so some absolutely amazing photographs of some of the architecture around. So, like I said, 2026 is probably the most recent time you saw some of the snow showers, but nothing like the 2012 snowfall that happened.

To be honest, I think it's just going to get rarer as temperatures keep rising around the globe. So it's going to get harder to have that snowy Christmas in Florence.

What to expect during winter in Florence

In terms of what to expect during winter, let's start with December, actually. December has a low of about 3 degrees and goes up to 11 degrees. January just hits a little bit colder, with a low of 2 degrees on average, and then a warm-up from about 3 degrees to about 13 degrees.

And when people ask me, does it snow in Florence, Italy, it's actually more than often rain in Florence. On average they have about 15 rainy days per month. However, if you go down to the Arno Valley during the winter months, you get some amazing morning fog, so you still get some really nice photos. Then, as the sun comes out, you get an amazing view of the Tuscan hills.

Winter activities in Florence

It tends to be a lot less busy when it does snow in Florence, Italy, and in the winter months in general. I've been to Florence midyear; I've also been in the winter, and there are a lot of things you can do, as you can go to the Uffizi Gallery, Palazzo Pitti, and a lot of things indoors.

However, some of the older places, like the cathedrals, sometimes don't have heating, so you might want to wrap up when you go into these places, especially if it does snow in Florence and hits that 0 degrees or less, like it did in 2012.

Then again, staying in Florence's best hotels is absolutely amazing in winter. You can look for some with fireplaces and heating, and if it does snow in Florence, if you're staying at a palace or one of the historic 5-star hotels, it's just absolutely amazing. It tends to be a little bit cheaper during the winter months, except Christmas and New Year's Eve, of course.

Christmas and winter markets in Florence

Is there Christmas and winter markets in Florence? Absolutely. Going to markets, especially when it snows in Florence, it's just something to be part of. I know people that have always lived in hot countries, or have their summer during, or have their winter during July. Winter around Christmas is really nice, especially in Florence.

Santa Croce market

So you've got the Santa Croce market, which is a Christmas market in Florence, and it's like the movies. You've got the wooden stalls; you can get all the various Christmas items. But it's actually like a typical German market, so think pretzels, mulled wine, street food.

San Donato Shopping Centre christmas market

You've got the Christmas market at San Donato Shopping Centre, which runs from mid-November to just after January. Again, over 40 wooden chalets and stalls getting holiday decorations and street food. So some really good markets, especially when it snows in Florence.

How do people in Florence react to the snow

So how do people in Florence react to the snow? I think when it comes to the snow falling in Florence, as I said, it doesn't happen very often; once every 10 years you get proper snow. The last one was 2012, so it's been a little bit longer. You did have 2026, but it did kind of melt on there.

So you can still get some really good images, and the locals will take their children and cameras out, so it is quite a special event for the locals. Schools can sometimes close, and you just have to be careful driving around Florence, especially around the Tuscan hills, because it can become icy if it does hit zero. So make sure to check the weather.

Comparing Florence to other Italian cities

If you compare Florence to other Italian cities, some northern Italian cities, like Milan and Turin, get a little bit more regular snowfall. Milan, on average, in December and January, can be around -1 degrees, so it does get colder snaps. I love seeing the Milan Duomo, especially in December when it does snow.

And interestingly, Rome has a similar snow pattern to Florence. So if you're in Rome and asking, does it snow in florence Italy, at the same time, chances are, maybe not. But you also have the mountainous areas around Florence, like the Apennine Mountains, which will receive a lot more snow during those months because you do get that higher elevation.

Photography opportunities when it snows in Florence

In terms of photography opportunities, when it does snow in Florence, the opportunities to talk about are really good. You get those snow-covered domes from some of the buildings, and that Mediterranean landscape. So you really get some unique images of Florence.

A hidden secret is that a lot of professional photographers, when they're asking, does it snow in Florence Italy, they actually have contacts around Florence that let them know when the snow starts falling, because of how rare it is to snow.

What to pack for Florence winters

In terms of what to pack for Florence winters, whenever I go away in the winter, but especially to Florence, you need to pack items that are good for cool or damp conditions, because it does rain quite a lot in Florence. I don't think you need heavy snow gear, but we're talking like a waterproof jacket, a warm sweater, waterproof shoes, maybe a beanie, a scarf. I'd also include an umbrella for the winter rain showers, and then even gloves, if you're looking at the forecast and it does look like it's gonna hit that 0 degrees.

So I hope you like my blog on does it snow in Florence Italy. If you've been to Italy during the Christmas season, and experienced any cold snaps or have some great photos, please leave a comment in the box below. I'd love to share this with my readers.

Does it snow in florence italy FAQs

What are winters like in Florence, Italy?

Winters tend to be quite rainy in Florence. It averages 3 degrees at its lowest in December, 2 degrees in January, and then 3 degrees at its lowest in February. But it did hit -5 degrees in 2012, so wrap up warm.

What is the coldest month in Florence, Italy?

The coldest month has got to be January, with a low of 2 degrees and then, during the day, 11 degrees. So still very cold, and I'll be wearing a beanie all day, every day.

Is Florence warmer than Rome?

During the winter, Rome tends to be just a little bit higher in temperature. So an average low in January is 3 degrees and then a high of 13 degrees, while in Florence it's a low of 2 degrees and a high of 11 degrees.

If we look at the peak of summer in July in Rome, it's a low of 19 degrees in Rome and a high of 32 degrees. Then Florence is 18 degrees with a high of 31 degrees. I'm talking average for the whole month, but in general, Rome tends to be a little bit hotter.

Does it ever snow in Tuscany?

Absolutely. Well, my whole blog about does it snow in Florence Italy is talking just about Florence, and as I said, it's very rare, every so often, every decade. That's purely because of where it's located. But there are so many other towns and mountain ranges around Tuscany where it does snow. You've got Monte Amiata, which is more in the south of Tuscany. You've got Abetone, so there are quite a lot of places in Tuscany where it snows.

In fact, in Abetone, most of the time, it's 0 degrees or less from November all the way to April. Abetone is only about an hour and a half away from Florence if you want to take a day trip during the Christmas period.

When did it last snow in Florence?

To be honest, it's a tough question, because in 2026 they did have a bit of snow in Florence. However, it looked really nice for the pictures. However, in terms of making snowballs, it was just disintegrating into water.

I'd say the last proper time that it snowed, shut down a few schools, was in 2012, when it reached -5 degrees.