No More White Christmas? What the Data Shows About Italy’s Disappearing Snow

This article began with a chat with a former expat considering a return to Italy. She mentioned that Vicence had once stolen her heart, but the thought of enduring snowy winters again was giving her pause. Snowy winters? In Vicenza? Her comment caught us off guard. It’s been years since the Renaissance city in the Veneto has seen anything resembling consistent or significant snowfall.

To be sure, Northern Italy’s winter landscape is not what it used to be. Ask longtime residents of Milan ou Turin, and they’ll tell you stories of snowfalls that now seem like a distant memory. Indeed, there’s a common perception that snowy winters in much of Italy have all but disappeared. Is it true? To find out, we examined medium-term snowfall data (1994–2023) from over 2,300 Italian towns. 

The results of our analysis mostly confirm the general impression: yes, many areas are seeing far less snow than before (especially compared to the unusually snowy 2000s) but some high-altitude towns are as snow-blanketed as ever (and a few even more so). For expats and retirees eyeing Italy, these trends aren’t just trivia; they shape the kind of winter lifestyle you can expect, whether you’re dreaming of a white Christmas or hoping to avoid shoveling your driveway.

The Snowy 2000s and the Recent Decline

Italians often recall the mid-2000s as a time when winters still regularly brought deep snow. In fact, data confirms that the early 2000s were a particularly snowy period across Italy – something of a high-water mark for winter snowfall. Many towns that are fairly dry today saw multiple big snows during that decade. Since then, however, the trend has turned downward. 

Most places now receive significantly less snow than they did 15–20 years ago. In many northern cities like Milan, Turin, Bologne, and Vérone, annual snowfall has dropped to around half (or even less) of what it averaged in the 2000s. For instance, Milan’s meteorological records show that yearly snowfall, historically on the order of 25–30 cm, plummeted to under 10 cm on average in the 1990s. A local Milan weather observer bluntly noted that “it hardly snows in Milan anymore,” and that you’d be hard-pressed to find another decade with as little snow as the one we’re living through. While Milan did see a couple of major snowstorms in the 2000s, those have become rarer, and the overall snow totals remain a far cry from the city’s snowier past.

What’s behind this decline? Broader climate data aligns with what Italians are experiencing. Studies of Alpine climate indicate that snowfall has been shrinking, especially at lower elevations and in southern parts of the Alps (which includes northern Italy). Over the last 100 years, the southern Alpine regions have lost nearly 50% of their snowfall, roughly twice the loss observed in the northern Alps. And most of that decrease has happened in recent decades, after about 1980. 

Warmer temperatures mean that precipitation which once fell as snow now often comes down as cold rain in winter. Scientists note that even though winter precipitation has actually increased in parts of northern Italy, it’s increasingly falling as rain at low elevations as the climate warms. In other words, the air still carries moisture – but the winter air isn’t cold enough for snow except in higher, colder locales. It’s a pattern that expats may have observed anecdotally: the rain/snow line creeping up the hills over the years.

Another telling indicator is the frequency of snow days. Not only is the total volume of snow lower now in many places, but the number of days with tous snowfall has also declined. Our analysis found about a 15–20% drop in snow-day frequency since the 1990s in many areas. This echoes research on the Alps showing that winters have 5–7 fewer snow-covered days per decade now than in the past, with the biggest losses at low to mid elevations. Simply put, snow is becoming a rarer event in a lot of Italian towns that used to see regular dustings. For someone relocating to, say, the Po Valley today, it means you might go an entire winter with barely a flurry – something that would have been uncommon a generation ago.

Northern Lowlands: Fewer White Christmases

Les northern lowlands of Italy – think the Po Valley and surrounding plains – have seen some of the most striking snowfall declines. This is Italy’s heartland for major cities and industry, including Milan, Turin, Bologna, Verona, and Padoue. Winter temperatures in these low-elevation areas now often hover just above freezing, so precipitation that might have been snow 20 years ago is rain more often than not. The data shows that most of these cities are getting only a fraction of the snow they did in the snowy 2000s. 

In practical terms, that means white Christmases (and white Januaries) have become quite uncommon in the lowlands. A city like Bologne, which used to reliably get multiple snowfalls a winter, might now only see one modest snow event – or none at all – in a season.

To illustrate, Milan’s snowfall decline is emblematic. As mentioned, records there show a steep drop in annual snow accumulation over recent decades. Turin et Vérone display similar patterns – significant snow was once routine in winter, but now heavy snow is a rare headline-making exception. Many locals in these cities joke that they’ve forgotten how to drive in snow, because they simply never encounter it anymore. 

Our analysis identified a cluster of towns in the Veneto lowlands (Trévise province) where “what used to be regular lowland snow now occurs infrequently”. In plain language: if you move to the flatlands of northern Italy, be prepared for more grey rain in winter and far fewer snowy postcard scenes. The decline is noticeable enough that it’s changed the winter ambiance: children in these areas treat snow as a novelty now, whereas 20 years ago it was just a normal part of winter.

Coastal Liguria and Tuscany: Snow Becoming a Rarity

If the Po Valley’s snowfall is waning, the coastal areas of northwestern Italy have all but kissed it goodbye. The Ligurian coast and northern Tyrrhenian coast (coastal Tuscany) have a mild Mediterranean winter climate to begin with, so snow was never abundant – but it did happen on occasion. Now, those occasions are exceedingly scarce. Our data analysis flagged a cluster of coastal Ligurian and Tuscan towns (places like Gênes, La Spezia, Sarzana, and even inland Tuscan hills like Vinci and Cerreto Guidi) as having some of the fastest snow declines in the country. In these areas, “snow has become much rarer and lighter” than it used to be. Genoa, for example, sits right on the sea and rarely sees snow sticking anymore – a far cry from decades past when an Arctic blast could whiten the palm trees once in a blue moon.

For expats considering the Italian Riviera or Tuscan coast for its mild winters, this is actually good news: true winter cold and snow are increasingly unlikely. The climate in these coastal zones has trended even more toward a rain-only regime in winter. Snowfall that might have dusted the beaches once every few years is now perhaps a once-in-a-decade curiosity (if that). Residents of Liguria will tell you that if you want to see snow, you’ll need to drive up into the mountains or beyond. Even in the rare case that cold air reaches the coast, the ever-warmer sea water tends to keep the immediate shore just above freezing.

Ranking: Top 20 towns en Italie where snow has disappeared fastest

These are places that had meaningful snow in 2004–2013 but show the largest proportional declines in both snowfall and snowday frequency between 2004–2013 and 2014–2023.

This pattern isn’t limited to the north, either. Coastal regions in southern Italy, which only saw snow very occasionally, now find it almost non-existent. A few southern coastal towns – such as Camerota in Campania or Vibo Valentia in Calabria – did make our “fastest disappearing snow” list, meaning those one-in-a-decade southern snow events have become even rarer now. But for most people, it’s the northern coastal areas like Liguria that stand out, since those used to have a distinct winter now and then. Today, an Italian coastal retiree can comfortably pack away the snow shovel for good. You’ll more likely spend winter days strolling the promenade in a light jacket than marveling at any snow on the sand.

Alpine Valleys: Italy’s Snow Havens in the High North

So, is all of Italy seeing less snow? Not everywhere – head up into the Alpine valleys and you’ll find that winter still very much means snow on the ground. Italy’s far north, from the Aosta Valley in the west to the Dolomites in the east, contains many high-elevation towns that remain snow magnets. In fact, our data shows that some of the snowiest towns in Europe are in the Italian Alps. Places like Livigno (Lombardy), Aoste, Cortina d'Ampezzo (Dolomites)ou Valle Aurina (South Tyrol) continue to average several meters of snowfall each winter. For example, Livigno – a resort town at 1,800 m altitude – sees on the order of 400 cm of snow per year in recent winters, and Cortina d’Ampezzo isn’t far behind with over 3 meters of average snowfall. These are impressive totals that can match or exceed historic norms. In other words, if you blindfolded a ski enthusiast and dropped them into an Alpine valley town in January, they might not notice any difference in snow between now and 20 years ago. There’s still plenty!

Ranking: Top 20 snow reliable towns in Italy (2014–2023)

High elevations have a buffer against warming – it’s simply colder up there. Even as average temperatures rise, many Alpine villages remain just cold enough to keep precipitation as snow rather than rain. Climate researchers highlight the central role of altitude: in the north, winter precipitation has increased, and at high altitudes that translates to plus snow, not less. Indeed, the data suggests that in some of these highest towns, snowfall has held steady or even ticked upward slightly in recent years. (This isn’t universal – even the Alps are warming – but the loss is much smaller at 1500+ meters than down in the plains.)

For expats craving a classic winter, Italy’s Alpine zones are a reassuring option. You can find villages where snow blankets rooftops all winter, skiing and snowshoeing are part of local life, and a “white Christmas” is almost guaranteed. The trade-off, of course, is colder temperatures and the challenges of mountain living (digging out your car, etc.). But many retirees and remote workers are drawn to these “snow havens” for their beauty and outdoor opportunities. Our data confirms that the Alps are still a solid bet if you want reliable snow. As one might expect, altitude is everything – a valley at 300 m might be rainy, while a village at 1,500 m just above it stays snowy all season long.

The Central Apennines: Snowy Surprises in the Heart of Italy

It might surprise some readers, but the Apennine Mountains of central Italy (particularly Abruzzo and nearby regions) can be just as snowy as parts of the Alps. And unlike the diminishing snow in the lowlands, many high Apennine towns are still getting hefty snowfalls year after year. The Abruzzo region, with its high plateaus and peaks (Gran Sasso, Maiella, etc.), has a unique climate quirk: cold air from Eastern Europe and the Adriatic can unload massive snowstorms on these mountains. Our analysis suggests that some towns in Abruzzes’s uplands have not seen the same downward trend in snow – in fact, a few have experienced increases in snowfall compared to the early 2000s. Winter 2017, for example, brought extraordinarily deep snow to parts of Abruzzo; even lower villages were buried, and high elevations recorded truly epic totals. It’s clear that while moderate elevations have less snow now, the highest Apennine locales remain very snowy by any standard.

For instance, the small mountain town of Capracotta (just over the border in Molise) made world news in 2015 by receiving over 2.5 meters of snow in a single day – a testament to the Apennines’ capacity for extreme snowfall. In routine winters, places like Roccaraso or Pescocostanzo in Abruzzo still accumulate impressive seasonal snow packs (often measured in the hundreds of centimeters). So for expats who fantasize about an Italian villa where you can sit by the fire and watch snow fall outside – it’s not only the Alps that can offer that, but select Apennine communities as well. The key is elevation and local microclimate. A city like L’Aquila (Abruzzo’s regional capital at about 700 m) might see much less snow now than 20 years ago (as mid-altitude snowfall has declined), but go up to 1,200+ meters in the surrounding mountains and you’ll still find reliable deep snow almost every winter.

It’s worth noting that climate change is projected to eventually impact even these areas – scientists warn that if warming continues, even high-elevation southern areas will see more winter rain instead of snow over time. But for now, the highest parts of the central Apennines remain a stronghold of Italy’s traditional winter. This is great news for anyone who loves winter sports or simply the beauty of a snow-covered village. The mode de vie in these areas revolves around the seasons: you’ll experience the full winter wonderland, but also need to be prepared for occasional isolation when roads close or power outages during big storms. It’s a trade-off some expats happily embrace for the magic of living in what feels like Italy’s Narnia.

Embracing (or Escaping) the New Winters: Tips for Expats and Retirees

For those planning a move to Italy, these shifting snowfall patterns are more than just climate trivia – they’re part of la qualité de vie. Maybe you’ve been dreaming of cozy snow days in a rustic hill town, or maybe you’re hoping to leave snow shovels behind forever. Either way, it pays to know where on the spectrum each potential location lies. Italy’s diversity in climate is still very much intact; it’s just that the lines are moving. The good news is that you can choose your kind of winter.

- If you love snow: Focus your search on higher elevations and northern inland areas. Alpine towns in regions like Valle d’Aosta, Trentino-Alto Adige, northern Piedmont, and upper Lombardy are top contenders for long, snowy winters. Likewise, some communities in the central Apennines (e.g. in Abruzzo) will deliver a decent dose of snow. Our data-driven Town Explorer tool can help – you can apply the “snow” filter to find towns that historically have high snowfall, ensuring you pick a place where white winters are still the norm. Imagine sipping hot chocolate in a chalet in Courmayeur or a stone cottage in Abruzzo while snow piles up outside – that’s still very much possible in Italy’s mountains.

- If you prefer milder winters: You’re in luck, because more of Italy fits this bill than ever. Coastal Liguria, much of Tuscany’s lower elevations, almost all of southern Italy, and the major Po Valley cities now see only an occasional light snow, if any. These areas offer winter climates that are more about rain and cool fog than snow and ice. By using the Town Explorer’s “snow” filter in reverse (to screen for low snowfall), you can identify towns where snow is rare, ideal if you’d rather not deal with slippery walkways or heavy coats. Many expats, for example, choose places like the Italian Riviera or Sicilian hills exactly for their gentler winters. And even in the north, cities like Milan or Venise have relatively mellow winters compared to a few decades ago – a consideration if you have mobility concerns or simply don’t enjoy cold weather.

Finally, keep in mind that climate patterns continue to evolve. While Italy isn’t turning into the tropics, the trend is clearly toward less frequent snow at lower elevations. This means that even in traditionally snowy locales, infrastructure and habits are adjusting – snow tires, for instance, are still required in alpine regions, but in some lowland areas folks might not bother anymore. For expats and retirees, it’s wise to check updated local climate statistics (our Magic Towns Italy platform compiles many of these) and talk to locals about recent winters. A place that got heavy snow when you visited 20 years ago might get very little now – and vice versa. Using data will help set your expectations correctly.

In summary, the idea that “snowy winters in Northern Italy have all but disappeared” is partly true – in the populous lowlands and coasts, you’ll indeed see far less snow than in the past. But it’s not true everywhere: Italy’s geography ensures that if you seek out altitude or the right microclimate, you can still find winters worthy of a snow globe. For those enchanted by snow, Italy hasn’t lost its magic towns – you just have to pinpoint them more carefully. And if you’re snow-averse, you have a growing list of regions where winter will be mild and snow-free. Either way, Italy offers a slice of la dolce vita in every season – you just get to choose whether yours comes with or without a snowy topping.

(Data sources: Magic Towns Italy snowfall database 1994–2023, based on Copernicus data)