Weather forecast for the Via Francigena: Lausanne → Roma in January

January along the Via Francigena from Lausanne to Rome exhibits a blend of crisp, cold starts and milder conditions as the route progresses southward. Starting in the Swiss Alps, icy mornings with temperatures plunging below freezing are common, accompanied by snow showers. As the trail descends into the plains and approaches Italy, the cold eases slightly, often giving way to partly cloudy skies and brief sunny spells. Rain showers intermittently punctuate the journey, particularly in the northern regions, creating a persistently moist environment. However, in the southern sections near Rome, the Mediterranean influence introduces milder temperatures and occasionally dry, sunny days, rounding off the journey with a decidedly more temperate ambiance.

Forecast settings

Start date
Jan 1
Start town
Lausanne
End date
Feb 20
End town
Roma
Units
metric (°C, mm, km)
Customize this forecastSwitch to imperial units (°F, in, mi)
Total days
51
Total distance
1121 km
Daily distance
22.0 km
Average high
6°C
Average low
-1°C
Average precipitation
3.3 mm/day

Swiss Alps

The journey begins in the Swiss Alps, where January is marked by frigid temperatures and frequent snowfall. Departing from Lausanne, the mornings are crisp and icy, with lows reaching past -10°C on certain days. Snow showers are common, emphasizing the mountainous winter environment. As the trail meanders through areas like Vevey and Aigle, the trend of cold days with light freezing rain and moderate snow showers continues. Saint-Maurice and Martigny endure substantial snowfall, often leading to a snowy landscape.

Aosta Valley

Crossing into Italy via Bourg-Saint-Pierre and Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard into the Aosta Valley, the temperatures remain low, but skies are often clearer, with sporadic heavy snow showers. In towns like Étroubles and Aosta, the weather sees sunny interludes punctuating the cold, and light freezing rain gives way to brief sunny patches.

Piedmont to Lombardy

Continuing into the Italian regions of Piedmont and Lombardy, January weather fluctuates between overcast days and intermittent sunshine. Cities like Ivrea and Vercelli experience milder temperatures compared to the Alps, but rain showers are prevalent, occasionally accompanied by heavy rain periods. As the route moves toward the warmer Environ of Pavia, rainfall becomes frequent, with moments of pacific weather between showers.

Emilia-Romagna to Tuscany

The trail progresses into Emilia-Romagna, where temperatures rise slightly and sunny days start to intersperse icy mornings. Places like Piacenza and Fiorenzuola d'Arda face occasional moderate showers, but sunlight appears more frequently. Entering Tuscany, weather becomes more varied, with rain showers interspersed with moderate rain at times, but overall milder and more consistent sunshine.

Lazio

Approaching Rome, January offers some respite from the harsher northern climates. In towns like Viterbo and Campagnano di Roma, a mix of sunny skies and patchy rain characterize the weather. The Italian capital itself, Rome, enjoys relatively mild winter days, marked by sunny intervals and light, occasional rainfall, providing a gentle, Mediterranean end to the journey.

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