Traveling to the big 3 the beginning of April, 2016. I have looked at historical weather data. What I am looking for is what does it mean..... short sleeved shirts ok, long sleeved shirts, jacket needed during day time, etc.? Can anyone tell me the weight and type of clothes to plan on?
Thank you in advance.
It means what it means. You cannot depend on anything. Remember with averages, you have to have temperatures on both sides. We were in Florence in early May - cool and rainy. So you bring layers. A rain jacket and shoes, light sweater, long sleeve shirt, short sleeve, hat, scarf, gloves. In order words you prepare for a wide range of temperatures by adding or subtracting layers as needed. It can be very cool in the AM and hot in the PM.
Your question is asked over and over. It's so hard to predict what each year will be like.
As always, just plan on layering. Bring a light weight rain coat and an umbrella (if you like) A mix of both long and short sleeved shirts is a good idea. You can use the rain jacket as a light weight jacket and for warmth with layers under.
Might might need a jacket daytime, or maybe nighttime, always a good idea to have one...as mentioned, a rain coat can be used.
I'd suggest ONE sweater, again, lightweight, perhaps a Merino Wool (like Ibex or Smartwool, etc)
Bring a scarf, and you'll fit right in, and have that extra layer of warmth. Nothing like something around the neck to help hold heat in the body...
Suggest you look at the weather a week out of your actual trip, and plan that way. If it looks very rainy and cold, pack a few more layering pieces, if it looks warmer and drier, then not a much.
Further north will be cooler and rainier than south....Venice will be for sure cooler than Rome at that time of year. Florence can be warm... April is unsettled weather time, not winter, not spring..you should plan to be prepared for anything!
Thank you both.
Do like me. Pack the day before you leave. By that time any weather website will give you a reasonably accurate forecast of the next 7-10 days. April is generally very changeable and the weather hard to predict. An Italian saying says that when you have a sunny Palm Sunday, you will have a wet Easter Sunday. For sure I would leave your shorts at home.
