<h2>Weather in Tuscany</h2>
The weather in Tuscany is generally mild and similar to another famous wine region, the Napa Valley in California. Summers are hot but the air is really dry, making the high temperatures bearable while you splash around the pool. Summer is the most popular time for vacations, while spring and autumn offer better weather for outdoor activities and festivals of food &amp; wine. Winter brings people exploring cites and immersing themselves in culture.
<h2>Pool Season: June, July, August and September</h2>
July and August are the warmest months with average high at 32°C and lows around 18°C while June and September offer comfortably warm weather without it being too hot with temperatures from 27°C high to 16°C low on the average. Some years the summer weather can start already in June and sometimes the summer heat can last well into September. These 4 months make up the pool season, when the sun warms up the pool water for swimming.
<h2>Air conditioning and how to keep the villa cool in summer</h2>
Many rental villas don’t offer air conditioning, since it most likely isn't needed (really!).  Farmhouses and villas in Tuscany are often located on top of hills and protected by trees, to enjoy cooling breezes that make it pleasant to be here. Every villa has electric fans that help to keep you comfortable. Italian country houses are traditionally built with thick masonry walls that make them cooler in summer and warmer in winter. In summer, we close the outside shutters during the daytime to keep out the hot sun, and open the house in the evening for a cooling breeze.

Because most of our guests live in their homes with air conditioning, and are used to even temperatures inside, we are starting to see owners in Tuscany adapt their villas to include air conditioning as an additional service (usually metered and paid according to usage).
<h2>Autumn and Spring are great times for Tuscany outdoors</h2>
October and May offer the best times to outdoor activities, such as bicycle rides, golf and tennis, horse back and hiking the many well-marked tracks in Tuscany. These months usually allow you to enjoy lunch outside, while the cooler evenings would keep you indoors for dinner. Temperatures range from around 24°C high to 13°C low. Late October shows you some pretty autumn colours, while May brings you late spring with red poppies in bloom. Start of October is time for the grape harvest, <em>Vendemmia</em>, at the vineyards.

November and April might bring a few frosty nights while days can still warm up nicely. November is harvest time for olives, and for hunting of truffles with especially trained sniffer dogs. November usually gets the most rain as well. April is a very pretty time in the middle of spring with wild flowers, blooming wisteria and fast green growth in the countryside. Temperatures range from around 18°C high to 7°C low.
<h2>Winter and start of Spring for visitors</h2>
From December thru February is the winter season with shorter days and rain showers, but also some beautiful clear and sunny days. Light dusting of snow is possible during the cold nights making travel on the roads more difficult. Higher elevations can get snow for several days. Many Italians rent villas for Christmas and New Year, but we see only a few tourists during the winter. Average temperatures are cool to chilly, from about 13°C high to 4°C low.

I mention March separately since it’s the beautiful start of spring, with narcissus, tulip, hyacinth and other bulbs in bloom with also the first of the fruit trees, like cherries, in flower. March also feels better with longer days pushing away the winter blues. End of March and start of April are usually the time for Easter, which the Europeans treat as a major holiday and time for travel, making it the start of the rental season for villas in Tuscany. Average temperatures in March are cool from about 16°C high to 7°C low.
<h2>Rain or Sunshine on your holidays</h2>
Rain and showers in Tuscany can occur during autumn, winter and spring, while the summer season is very dry. Except, possibly thunderstorms that could bring a few showers also during the summer. This is the general view of the seasons but each year is different, so please have a look at the local weather forecast for Tuscany just before you leave home, so you can pack accordingly.