We will be in Piemonte for 6 days in early January 2010 (we'll have a rental car). Neither my husband nor I have experience driving in snow or ice. Should we expect a lot of snow or ice on the roads? Will it be difficult to get around? We enjoy travelling the smaller local roads and plan on taking day trips on most of the days we'll be there. We'll mostly be in the Asti/Alba area and don't plan on venturing too far westward toward the Alps (maybe to Saluzzo, but that's about it). Any information or advice on what we should expect?

I really enjoy playing around with this website:

http://www80.wolframalpha.com/...taly+weather+january

Historical weather for other dates is available too.

Peter

I would say that you can expect anything.

First of all, it's completely unpredictable. There might be no snow and 45-50 degree weather, there might be tons of fog, especially in the Langhe, and there might (like last year) be snow.

Some tips to make your life a bit easier:

See if you can rent a four wheel drive -- like a Fiat Panda 4x4. Like this you will have a bit of safety. Snow tires are recommended during the winter here, but they are not available at Italian car rental places.

Stay in towns. This is a big one. It can save you alot of aggravation if the weather turns. First of all, many country properties become almost inaccessible in the snow, but also being in the hills when there is fog is not a lot of fun. At least being in a town, you can walk and get a pizza and not have to risk your neck getting in the car again.

You can have good luck and have good weather. But prepare for the opposite!

Diana: Thanks for the information. We already had planned to stay in a town for this very reason - in case we get stuck in bad weather we are not out in the country with limited access to restaurants, etc. Looks like we should just expect the unexpected!

Peter: that is an interesting and informative weather site and thanks for letting me know about it.

quote:

See if you can rent a four wheel drive -- like a Fiat Panda 4x4. Like this you will have a bit of safety.

A 4-wheel drive will help you complete a journey, but more important safety issue is to make sure that your vehicle has front and rear anti-skid systems. I'm tempted to assume that all vehicles will have anti-skid brakes but I have never bothered to ask when I have been traveling in Italy. You should ask also about tire chain availability and advisability when you get your car. I would get a front wheel drive rather than a rear wheel drive if you are not getting a 4WD. I also think that most vehicles will be front wheel drive but I would ask.

In the US in bad weather, (snowy, sleety, icy) I invariably see drivers with 4WD vehicles driving faster than the other vehicles on the road. Do they subconsciously believe their vehicles can stop faster because they have 4WD?? 4WD can help you climb hills and possibly deal with piled up snow and perhaps allow a little better low-gear engine braking when descending hills, but remember that ALL cars have 4WB (Four wheel brakes). Be careful and drive slowly.

quote:

Stay in towns. This is a big one. It can save you alot of aggravation if the weather turns. First of all, many country properties become almost inaccessible in the snow, but also being in the hills when there is fog is not a lot of fun. At least being in a town, you can walk and get a pizza and not have to risk your neck getting in the car again

To be honest with you, I think it's best to stay in or very near a town even when the weather is good.

Sharon J

Sharon - I agree! There's always wine involved in our dinners and I like staying within walking distance of several restaurants.

quote:

To be honest with you, I think it's best to stay in or very near a town even when the weather is good.

This is one of the main reasons we bought a property on the direct outskirts of a large town. I think this is good advice. I can definitely suggest Acqui Terme as a lovely winter possibility, it is very cozy here in the winter, but still large enough to be able to shop, etc.