Italian climate & weather
“In Italy, when I look outside in the morning and the weather is fine, dry and sunny, I leave home without a coat. If I do this in the UK or Holland, I am deceited quite often, because later in the day it starts raining, the wind starts blowing and it gets cold!” This is what our Italian friend Luca told us once. He is an Italian who, having lived in The Netherlands for years, experienced the difference between the Italian climate and the Dutch one and the two types of weather. We too, even after ten years of living in Italy are still surprised about the differences. Everbody knows that in Italy the sun shines more often, but that the climate in summer is that much more stable, is a thing we had not anticipated.
In normal years, from about June till September the weather in the Oltrepò Pavese is dry, sunny and warm. This goes practically without exception, not counting the occasional thunderstorm. The temperature ranges from 25-35 degrees Celsius (77-95 Fahrenheit) while humidity is reasonably low. This type of weather is very pleasant, you get used to it quite easily. In ten years only 2014 failed to meet these expectations: it was wet and temperatures rarely touched the 30 degrees. The last three years however, have been exceptionally good for the wine grapes: hot and dry.
Italian climate: the facts
From May till September the average daily maximum temperature is above 25 oC, in July and August the daily maximum averages 30 degrees. The 24hrs average temperature is about 5 degrees above the Dutch average. From November till March Oltrepo weather is very much like the Dutch weather, apart from wind (less) and fog (more). The difference in amount of rainfall occurs mainly during the other seasons, spring, summer and fall. From May till September the number of rainy days is negligable. The little rain that does fall originates from the thunderstorms that may pass in the evening every now and then. The difference in windspeed between Holland and the Oltrepo is spectacular. That’s why our Dutch flag outside never waves!