Sicily has a typical Mediterranean climate with mild and wet winters and

hot, dry summers with very changeable intermediate seasons. On the coasts,

especially the south-western, the climate is affected by the African currents

and summers can be scorching.

Sicily is seen as an island of warm winters but also, above all along the

Tyrrhenian coast and in the inland areas, winters can be cold, with typical

continental climate.

Snow falls in abundance above 900–1000 metres, but stronger cold waves

can easily carry it in the hills and even in coastal cities, especially in the northern coast of island. The interior mountains, especially Nebrodi, Madonie and Etna, enjoy a fully mountain climate, with heavy snowfalls during winter. The summit of Mount Etna is usually snow capped from October to May.

On the other hand, especially in the summer it is not unusual that there is the sirocco, the wind from the Sahara. Rainfall is scarce, and water proves deficient in some provinces where water crisis can happen sometimes.