During the summer, the Sirocco (the wind that blows over the Sahara Desert and into the Mediterranean) blows through Palermo and can raise the temperature a few degrees. On the other hand, a cool wind called the Mistral blows from the north through France. This wind provides a cool sea breeze and can make Palermo's summers much more bearable.
Sicilian people are adapted to a very warm environment. Even when the weather is 80 degrees or warmer, you still see many people wearing pants! Compared to those living in less sunny climates, Sicilians tend to have tanned skin. Palermo's main roads open up into the port. As the roads approach the waterfront, they widen out. This creates a lot of space by the port, making it a convinient place for both events and markets. This area gets a direct breeze from the sea so it is also cooler than the rest of the city.
