Small tour of the regions
With its fairly even relief, Puglia enjoys a predominantly Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are mild in winter, hot in summer. Over much of the region, annual averages fluctuate between 16 and 17°C, with some variations between Gargano and Salento. Winter temperatures average between 10 and 16°C, with the coldest month being January. Rainfall is infrequent, concentrated in late autumn and winter. The Adriatic Sea averages 24°C in August, while the Ionian coasts enjoy a degree or two warmer. In the Daunia, Gargano and Murge mountains, summers are a little cooler, and in winter there can be snow and fog at night. Thermal differences are most marked on the Tavoliere: in summer, it's scorching hot, with mercury soaring above 40°C, while in winter, temperatures sometimes plunge below zero. Another feature of Puglia's climate is its inconstancy. The absence of a mountainous barrier means that the winds are free to cool the land just as much as they can bring heat and humidity. This can have catastrophic consequences for agricultural production.
Calabria is certainly the region with the greatest climatic diversity. Over a distance of just one hundred kilometers, you can move very quickly from one climate to another. Three main profiles can be identified: the Tyrrhenian zone has a temperate climate, hot in summer and mild in winter; the mountainousApennino Calabro zone has a cold continental climate, with snow on the peaks in winter and mild temperatures in summer, accompanied by stormy episodes; the Ionian zone is the hottest and driest. This type of climate makes the region attractive for sunbathing in summer and skiing in winter.
Basilicata's climate is relatively similar to that of Calabria. Continental on the mountains, it is Mediterranean on the Ionian and Tyrrhenian coasts. The hinterland bridges the gap between these two climates, and while it's quite warm in summer from 300-400 meters above sea level, winters can be harsh and wet, with snowfalls between November and March. The capital of Basilicata, Potenza, is one of the coldest towns in Italy: at 819 meters above sea level, it averages forty days of frost a year. In winter, the mercury falls well below zero, with a record low of -12.2°C recorded in January 1968.
The ideal seasons to visit the south
This remains spring and autumn: you can enjoy the good weather without the summer heat. However, a stay on the coast can be considered at any time of the year: even in the middle of winter, the coastline is often sunny, with little rain and mild temperatures, although not enough to allow a swim. You will certainly see a few locals keeping up their tan in their swimsuits on the beach! It is, however, best to avoid the months of July and August as the coastline is crowded with holidaymakers, including many Italians, who also take their holidays in August, especially around Assumption. On the coast, the late season offers beautiful sunny days, and swimming is still possible beyond mid-October. In the mountainous regions of Calabria and Basilicata, late spring and early autumn are the best times of the year to discover these territories and to go hiking; powder lovers will find their happiness in winter.
