Elba has a gorgeous Mediterranean climate of long, hot summers and short, mild and wet winters. It is a Mediterranean island just off the coast of Tuscany, not far from Corsica, and is the largest of the Tuscan Archipelago. This is a popular area for sailing holidays due to the clear waters, picturesque islands, and the bright and breezy summer weather. Tuscany is in the northwest of Italy.
Summer, from June till September, is known for its exceptional weather. The heat is just right and tempered by a sea breeze; the sun shines endlessly and it very rarely rains. The average high temperature reaches 24°C in June, peaks at 27°C in July and August, and reduces to 25°C in September. At night the heat lingers and the average low stays around the low 20s. The sun shines uninterrupted for most of the season. Sunshine levels peak in July at an average of nine hours per day, and this reduces to seven at the end of the season. A few showers can be expected each month, but if youâre only going for a week you might not see any wet weather at all. The sea is warm enough for swimming throughout the season and is warmest in August at 25°C. The prevailing winds are west-northwest with the odd southeast gust and period of calm. At night the wind usually switches to west or southwest.<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
Autumn, in October and November, is the wettest time of year. It starts off warm but soon becomes mild and is nowhere near as sunny as summer. The average high temperature gets down to 20°C in October and 15°C in November, while the average low drops to 15°C and 10°C respectively. While the start of the season still sees some gorgeous weather, it can be cool later on and rainfall increases at the same time. Heavy showers, sometimes windy storms, can be expected on around ten days per month. This means there are still many dry days, but sunshine levels drop to five hours per day in October and four in November. The sea does remain warm enough for swimming, getting down to 18°C in November.
Winter, from December till February, is mild but sometimes wet and grey. It is coldest in January which has an average high temperature of 12°C and an average low of 8°C, and the surrounding months are only marginally warmer. Frost and snow do not occur. Sunshine levels do not alter from the four hours per day seen at the end of autumn. Rainfall decreases in volume but it continues to rain relatively often and the sea becomes too cold for swimming. While this doesnât sound great the weather here is certainly preferable to that found in more northerly climes due to its warmer days and clearer skies.
Spring, from March till May, gradually improves and as summer approaches is generally lovely. The average high temperature increases to 14°C in March, 16°C in April and 21°C in May. The average low climbs to 10°C, 12°C and 16°C respectively. While until the middle of the season it can still be quite cool, by May it is even warm at night. Rainfall reduces and from April only the odd shower falls. The sea is potentially warm enough for swimming from mid April which has an average water temperature of 16°C â" as warm as it gets in the UK at the height of summer.