If you’re looking at your weather app right now and seeing "mostly sunny" for Sorrento, don't just toss a t-shirt in your bag and call it a day. Honestly, the current weather in Sorrento can be a bit of a trickster this time of year. Today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, we're looking at a high of about 56°F ($13$°C) and a low of 52°F ($11$°C). That sounds decent for winter, right? But here's the thing: that Mediterranean humidity—currently sitting around 68%—makes the air feel a lot dampier and "sharper" than the number on the screen suggests.
It’s currently mostly sunny with just a light 3 mph breeze coming from the south. It’s the kind of day where you’ll feel great in the sun, but the second you step into the shadow of a tall stone building in the centro storico, you’ll be reaching for your scarf.
Why Current Weather in Sorrento Matters for Your Trip
Most people think of Sorrento as this sun-drenched summer paradise. They aren't wrong, but January is a different beast. You've got about 9.6 hours of daylight today. The sun popped up at 7:22 AM and it’s going to dip behind the horizon around 4:59 PM. Once that sun goes down, the temperature doesn't just "drop"—it plunges.
You’re basically dealing with two different climates in one day.
I’ve seen tourists walking around Piazza Tasso in shorts because they saw a "56 degrees" forecast and thought they were back in a mild spring. They look miserable by 5:15 PM. The wind off the Tyrrhenian Sea can be surprisingly gusty. While it's calm right now, the forecast for the next few days shows those northeast winds picking up, hitting around 14-16 mph by early next week.
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The Real Forecast for the Week Ahead
If you're sticking around for a few days, here's what the horizon looks like:
- Thursday (Jan 15): Stays steady at 56°F but turns cloudy. The "sparkle" of the coast disappears when it’s grey.
- Friday (Jan 16): A slight warm-up to 59°F, though it’ll stay mostly cloudy.
- The Weekend (Jan 17-18): Saturday looks like the winner with full sun and a high of 60°F. Sunday stays warm at 60°F but brings the clouds back and a 25% chance of light rain in the evening.
Basically, enjoy the sunshine today and Saturday. By Monday, the light rain starts moving in properly, and those temperatures will start creeping back down toward the low 50s.
The "Rainy" Misconception
People panic when they see "rain" on a Sorrento forecast. Don't.
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Statistically, January is one of the wettest months here—averaging about 14 rainy days—but "rainy" in Sorrento usually means short-lived showers, not a 24-hour monsoon. You might get a 20-minute downpour that clears up into a double rainbow over the Bay of Naples. It’s actually kinda beautiful.
That said, the limestone streets in the old town get incredibly slick when they’re wet. I cannot stress this enough: leave the smooth-soled shoes at home. You need something with actual grip. I once saw a guy in fancy loafers pull a full cartoon-style slip on the cobbles near the Cloister of San Francesco. Not a great way to start a vacation.
What to Wear Right Now
You’ve got to master the "Sorrento Sandwich." That’s layers, obviously.
Start with a light base, add a sweater, and top it off with a windproof or waterproof jacket. A cashmere or wool scarf is the "secret weapon" of the locals. You’ll see Italians in beautifully tailored coats and expertly tied scarves even if it’s "warm" out. They know the wind can turn on a dime.
Since the sea temperature is currently a bracing 59°F ($15$°C), maybe skip the swim. Stick to a brisk walk to the Baths of Queen Giovanna instead. It’s about a 30-minute trek from the center, and in this "moderately chilly" weather, the exercise keeps you warm without the summer sweat. Plus, in January, you might have the whole Roman ruin to yourself.
Actionable Tips for This Week
If you’re on the ground in Sorrento right now or arriving tomorrow, here is your tactical plan:
- Check the Ferry Status: If you're planning a trip to Capri, keep an eye on the wind. While today is calm, the 15 mph winds predicted for next Monday and Tuesday often lead to ferry cancellations for the smaller hydrofoils.
- Museum Days: Save the Correale Museum for Friday or Sunday when the sky is gray. The porcelain collection and Neapolitan paintings are world-class, and it’s a great way to stay dry if those 20% rain chances turn into 100%.
- Dining Strategy: Many of the cliffside restaurants close for the winter "pausa." Stick to the heart of the city. Places like Fauno Bar in the square stay open and have those high-powered outdoor heaters that make 52°F feel like 75°F.
- Footwear: Wear waterproof boots or sneakers with rubber soles. Leather soles on wet cobblestones are essentially ice skates.
- Sunset Timing: Be at the Villa Comunale by 4:30 PM. The way the winter sun hits Vesuvius at 4:50 PM is actually better than the summer sunset because the air is crisper and less hazy.
The current weather in Sorrento isn't about "surviving" the cold; it's about enjoying the lack of crowds. You can actually hear the waves hitting the rocks at Marina Grande without 5,000 people talking over them. Just bring a jacket.