Venice Climate Patterns

Venice has a humid subtropical climate strongly influenced by its lagoon setting -- summers are warm and notably muggy, while winters are cool and damp rather than cold, with fog a regular feature between November and February.

The city's most distinctive weather phenomenon is acqua alta ("high water"), seasonal flooding caused by a combination of high tides, low atmospheric pressure, and strong sirocco winds pushing water up the Adriatic into the lagoon. It occurs most often between autumn and early spring, can flood low-lying areas like Piazza San Marco within hours, and typically recedes within a few hours as the tide turns. The city posts warnings and raised walkways (passerelle) when a significant acqua alta event is expected.