Weather in Sicily : Snow

Weather in Sicily :

Today 13/02/09 : 02/13/09 i felt it needed to be reported that it is very cold (relatively to summer) in Sicily.

Yesterday for the first time in many years snow was reported at a low altitude of 200m.

Now for those of you that don’t really know Sicily there are some very mountaneous areas (Mount Etna) and you can ski in sicily for a short period over the sicilian winter.

This winter the weather in europe has been extremly severe and its even arrived here in Sicily. The month of January saw more rain than in the last 10 years, the fields are saturated, landslides are a regular occurance, side roads are flooded. Admittedly January is winter, but last year this time the sun was shining and it was already 20’C.

The locals have had enough, they just aren’t used to this volume of rain and cold, easterly winds. The usual sicilain smile has disapearred as people run from shops to shops. No chance to stop on the streets and have their relaxing chats and sit around on the sidewalk.

Rumours spread that come February things would change, but still more rain and cold. OK the sun does come out between the rainstorms but just not long enough to satisfy the sicilain lifestyle.

This morning there was even hailstone. Last night a power cut.

Most of the sicilain properties don’t have central heating, there just has never been the need. The houses in Sicily have thick walls to keep chilled during the hot summers, in winter it takes a lot to heat a house with portable heaters.

Lets hope the weather changes and spring in Sicily will be soon with us and we will be complaing that its too hot. If only…

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