Weather in Mid-May

I was in Rome, Florence and Venice the beginning of May last year. It was unseasonably warm. The locals told us it was 10 degrees higher than normal. I brought clothes for perceived spring days and it was summer weather. I bought a few summer items there. It was high 70s, low 80s during the day.

In all likelihood you will need only short-sleeved tops or even sundresses, but bring a light sweater for mornings and evenings (I like those crocheted/lacey ones at this time of year) and a light rain jacket just in case. You are unlikely to need more layers than that. It will be mid-80s here next week, then back down to mid-to-upper 70s, but the official forecast for this summer is hotter earlier and longer, much like last year's scorcher.

It may be a bit cool in the AM, but by 9:00 you will start to feel the warmth.

I always check the Weather Channel for a 10 day forecast before I pack, and then pack accordingly. Not always 100%, but close enough.

That said, we never leave without our rain coats and a sweater or two. Last trip to Italy, we even packed compact umbrellas, and ended up using them a LOT. (We were in Venice late April, and it was cold and rainy) (I don't like buying the crappy umbrellas from the guys that suddenly appear and push those in your face)

I pack 1-2 long sleeve shirts/tops and we wear jeans on the plane, then wear those while in country. Hubby has to have one pair of shorts (Florence can be very humid), I bring a casual GAP dress that works well for travel/packing. We always bring a pair of sandals that are great for walking the cobble streets, and in the hotel as house slippers for the cold tile floors.

In 10 trips to Italy - usually mid May, we've had mostly HOT temps and a day or two of rain or cloudy weather. Just plan for everything, minimally, and you'll be fine.

I'm watching the weather right now, we leave next Sunday, for biking and hiking - try packing for that- as well as clothing for being in town and going out to eat! Not only do I have to pack for me and the hubby for the sports, we also pack our tandem bike. This trip I have to figure out how to bring hiking boots and poles and hiking clothing too - all for unsettled weather !!

You need to check the weather forecast the day before you leave, which will give you good estimates for the 10 days ahead. May is generally nice and warm, but rain is always a possibility and once in a while you have unusual years when it might be hot like June/July or very cool and rainy like early March.

We were in and around Florence for week in mid-May two years ago. It was very pleasant - touch cool - but it rained lightly - every day. Only one day was hard rain for maybe an hour. Rest of the time light sprinkles once or twice a day. Easily got by with a light rain jacket and short sleeved shirts - no shorts. Six years ago were in Rome the first week of June and nearly froze to death (at least seemed that way). Exact same week a year later was in the 90s with high humidity. Point is - need to plan for a range of temps and conditions.

We were there May 13-26, 2014. It reached the low 70s every afternoon. Two rainy days in 2 weeks. Walking about Positano in a light drizzle was no problem as we had rain gear. The heavier rain at Lake Maggiore was a nuisance, but even in a steady rain walking about the gardens of Isola Bella was wonderful. I had a thin sweater that I started each day wearing and then stripped off by lunchtime.