Limone, on the northwest coast of Italyâs Lake Garda, enjoys the Mediterranean climate of the area. The hot summers and cool winters are milder and drier than areas to the south. Lake Garda is a Mecca for water sport enthusiasts due to the high winds that sweep down the valley. Limone is at the windier end of Lake Garda and together with Torbole and Malcesine forms a triangle considered to be one of the best windsurfing regions in Europe.
Summer, from June till September, is beautifully hot but with refreshing winds to keep discomfort away. The average high temperature rises from 26°C in June, to its peak in July of 29°C before cooling down to 27°C in August and 24°C in September. Night time temperatures are pleasantly cool, rising from an average low of 15°C in June to 17°C in July and August, reducing to 14°C in September. Visitors should be prepared for the cool evenings which can come as a relief but may also require a light sweater. The sun is reliable, staying out for a good ten hours a day on average for the peak month of July. However, June is the areaâs wettest month and while rainfall is still low on average it has been known to be heavy and unpredictable. Rainfall steadily decreases for the rest of summer. It should be remembered that Lake Garda is a glacial lake; unimaginably deep and filled with meltwater from the mountains, it is cool even in the summer.
Autumn, in October and November, sees the average high temperature drop quite sharply from a mild 18°C to a cool 12°C. The weather generally becomes more unpredictable as cloud cover and rainfall increase. The sun starts to hide more often than not; October sees an average of five hours of sun per day. This then drops to a pitiful two hours per day in November, the areaâs most overcast month. At night it gets very cold with November seeing an average low of 6°C. Mist can develop over the lake.
Winter, from December till February,
sees an average high of around 8°C drop to the yearly low of 6°C in January.
Night time temperatures linger unapologetically around freezing for the whole
season and frosts are likely. The mountain peaks are capped with a thick coat of snow creating a postcard scene, though this can sometimes be obscured by mist.
Spring, from March till May, warms up quite quickly and sees the return of the sun. The average high temperature increases from 13°C in March to 18°C in April and 22°C in May. Night times remain cold but nowhere near freezing. The sun comes out for around five hours a day in March which steadily increases to eight in May as the sky clears. However, mist can develop. Rainfall increases from the middle of the season; April and May can expect around nine days per month with rain.
Limone owes its mild climate to the Dolomites that rise behind Lake Garda, protecting the area from cold and humid north winds; also to the lake itself which has a cooling effect on the surrounding areas. The climate allows for the growth of plants such as palms and citrus trees that are more usually found in Mediterranean regions further south. The mountains are home to many climbing and snow sports centres and the mountainsâ wind is responsible for the spectacular windsurfing and sailing.