If you're planning a holiday on the Amalfi Coast, you're probably wondering what the weather is like in Positano, how much to trust the weather forecast and perhaps when the best time is to visit in order to avoid the probability of rain, humidity, and bad weather.
Temperatures and rain in Positano
In Positano, Amalfi, and the other seaside resorts of the Amalfi Coast, the sun shines for a good part of the year, as on all the coasts of Campania. Temperatures are mild even in winter and rarely drop below ten degrees centigrade. Snowfall is a delightful but rare phenomenon, at least at sea level.
Rain is quite likely between November and April, when the sky is often thick with low clouds and the hours of daylight are reduced to a minimum. In summer, however, precipitation is rare, and mainly consists of strong, brief showers in which the cloudy sky quickly gives way to the sun.
As in much of the province of Salerno, in the summer months daytime temperatures regularly exceed 30 degrees, but the presence of the sea makes the heat more bearable than in the city. The sea breeze also offers a bit of refreshment and helps lower humidity levels and minimum temperatures. If you go out for a walk in the evening, you may need a jacket or a sweatshirt.
Here is a table of Positano average temperatures and rain month by month:
Month | Temperature | Days of rain | Sea temperature |
|---|---|---|---|
January | 11° - 16° | 9 | 15° |
February | 11° - 14° | 8 | 14° |
March | 13° - 19° | 8 | 14° |
April | 15° - 22° | 9 | 16° |
May | 18° - 26° | 6 | 19° |
June | 23° - 31° | 4 | 23° |
July | 25° - 34° | 3 | 26° |
August | 25° - 34° | 3 | 26° |
September | 22° - 30° | 7 | 25° |
October | 19° - 25° | 8 | 22° |
November | 15° - 20° | 10 | 19° |
December | 12° - 17° | 10 | 18° |
Climate in the hills
On the Amalfi Coast you can go from the coast to the hills in the space of a few kilometres. In hill towns such as Ravello, Agerola, and Sant'Agata sui due Golfi, the influence of the sea is less evident and temperatures can be slightly lower than in low-altitude cities, especially in spring and autumn.
In the evening it can be cool even in summer, while in the morning you could wake up in the company of scattered clouds that often dissipate during the day.
Weather in Positano: are the forecasts reliable?
Weather forecasts for Positano and the Amalfi Coast are generally quite reliable, although it is worth keeping in mind that weather conditions on the coast can change quite quickly. Furthermore, in Amalfi, Positano, and the surrounding areas, the meteorology and climate are influenced by the presence of higher ground just behind the sea, which can give rise to local cloudiness or sudden thunderstorms followed by rapid clearings.
Sea condition forecasts
If you plan to take a boat tour in Positano, visit the Emerald Grotto, or go swimming or snorkeling around the Li Galli islets and the Furore Fjord, you should monitor the latest weather and marine forecasts.
It's even more important to find out about sea conditions in advance if you're organizing a tour to Capri or a boat transfer to Naples or Salerno: even if sailing times are not long and if the boats do not go too far from the coast, the stormy seas can ruin your plans, or otherwise make the experience on board unpleasant.
Check the real-time webcams on Positano weather forecast sites to organize your trip or boat transfer from other areas of Campania or Italy.
When can I go swimming in Positano?
The southern Tyrrhenian Sea that borders Positano and the other towns of the Amalfi Coast has an acceptable temperature from May to October, but if you're sensitive to the cold you'll probably have to wait until at least June. More intrepid visitors, or tourists who are simply accustomed to colder temperatures, can swim without any particular problems even in early spring or late autumn.