Lake Como, Italy has all the ingredients to make for the perfect holiday.

The weather in Lake Como is generally mild. It is known for its Mediterranean-like climate where tropical and sub-tropical plants can grow year-round.

Winds

The valleys around Lake Como generate a complex wind system. The two dominant winds which sweep across the lake are il tivano which blows from a valley called “Valtellina” from the north-east in the morning and la breva which blows from the south in the afternoon. These two winds clear the sky over Lake Como but there are others that are associated with bad weather; Vento or Ventone is a northerly wind that blows in strong gusts from Val Chiavenna and can start unexpectedly. Menaggino is a southerly wind that blows in strong gusts from Val Menaggio and can be very strong during thunderstorms (particularly in summertime).

Bellasco which blows over Bellano, Argegnino blows from Val d’Intelvi, Bergamasca blows along he Lecco branch to the middle of the lake and the Garzeno which blows from the valley that overlooks Dongo; they are all summertime winds usually associated with thunderstorms and can be quite dangerous.

With all these winds it makes it ideal for windsurfing and sailing and located up at the north of the lake you will find many windsurfers and sailors.

The Seasons

The holiday season runs from Easter to October. Ideal times to go are May, June and September when it’s still warm and sunny but not as crowded (or as hot) as in the midsummer months. The lake often has a gentle breeze therefore making it slightly cooler than the cities. The wettest months are October and November. There are chilly winds from the Alps in the winter and it is often foggy over this period.