first timer for italy in february

I was in London (where it actually snowed on me)and Paris in April then went on a Rick Steve's tour of Greece (great by the way) so I had the same problem. Layering my friend layering! Take a lightweight, waterproof BREATHABLE jacket, one medium weight sweater, two long sleved shirts (one heavy cotton or similar, one lightweight), tee-shirts and a knit cap or some such head covering (if your head is cold you'll be cold). I fit everything into a carryon except my jacket which I wore onto the plane. Everything I have is mix and match so a chilly day is a white tee-shirt with a long sleved black overshirt and a black sweater. Cold, tee-shirt, black sweater, jacket. Hot...well you get the idea.

You didnt say which week, but it wont matter. Sicily and Rome are at the same latitude and should have identical weather. Both have lots of water around them and should have identical weather. When I was in Rome it was HOT. Pack light.

Always layer. Wear lightweight clothes and add layers as necessary.

Here's what I wear maybe it will give you ideas.

http://www.polyvore.com/cgi/set?id=1440268

It is not going to be hot in Rome in February. Sicily is 400 km South of Rome so it wil be warmer there, but certainly not hot. Rome will be mostly 40's and 50's with some rain. Sicily will be slightly warmer - 40's to maybe low 60's but with more rain.

Due to global warming it is hard to predict the weather anymore, but barring a strange heat wave, you will need a jacket and warm clothes in Italy in February. As has already been suggested, bring layers. Sicily is further south, and you didn't mention where you were going, but if you are anywhere near the sea it will be windy. Rome will feel warmer than New York outside, but it has this cold in winter that gets into your bones. You should also remember that Italians don't blast the heat the way people do in the US, so you could find yourself feeling quite cold INSIDE many places, including restaurants, museums, shops, and of course, churches.