Climate and weather in Salzburg, Austria

Austria has a diverse landscape that affects its climate. In the east, winds are common, while in the Alpine foothills, the influence of the continent is felt, resulting in lower temperatures in winter and higher in summer. The northern side of the Alps receives more precipitation, and the climate is temperate with little temperature difference. Central Austria is located on a hill, and its valley of the Danube, surrounded by hills, has a mild microclimate that is favorable for winemaking and growing fruit crops. The Mediterranean Sea's influence is felt in the south of the Alps, resulting in mild winters and many sunny days.

Salzburg City is situated in the northern part of Austria. The state of Salzburg is 70% covered by mountains. Due to the difference in heights, the air temperature can vary significantly between the city and the nearest suburb, especially in autumn and winter. According to statistics, cloudy and sunny days are equal here, and a temperate climate prevails. Each season lasts for three months.

Winter in Salzburg

In Salzburg, the months of November and the first half of December are usually sunny with temperatures ranging between +5 to +10 degrees. However, by mid-December, the temperature drops sharply causing what forecasters call the "Christmas depression". During this period, temperatures may go below zero and the ground is cooled enough to prevent immediate melting of snow in the valleys. The temperature during this period ranges between 0 to -5 degrees.

Starting from the first week of January, Austria experiences a true winter with heavy snowfalls and low temperatures. According to statistics, frigid winters occur once every 10 years in Austria, for example in 2006 and 2017 when the temperature dropped to as low as -25 degrees Celsius. During this time, large bodies of water also tend to freeze completely, which rarely happens nowadays.

Throughout the winter, it is common, that a warm anticyclone called Föhn arrives in Austria from the south a few times. With it comes a hurricane-force wind and the temperature can rise up to +10 degrees Celsius during the day. Due to the strong winds, all lifts are stopped in ski resorts for safety reasons. The cyclone typically lasts 2-3 days, after which temperatures return to subzero levels.

When traveling from a ski resort to Salzburg, it's important to remember that Austria can get extremely cold with high humidity. In Salzburg, the cold can feel damp and penetrate deep into your bones. To explore the city center, you will have to walk, and in the afternoon, the shadow of the Monchsberg mountain covers the entire area of the old town. If you are not dressed warmly enough, your tour may be reduced to one shopping trip and a café. Therefore, dressing as warmly as possible is recommended to avoid the cold. February in Salzburg is often cloudy and heavy snowfall is not uncommon. The humid air settles in the valley of the Salzach River. However, if you leave the valley for the mountains, the clouds will remain behind and you'll be greeted with a clear blue sky and bright sun.

In March, the temperature gradually goes up as the snow begins to melt. The mountains still have an abundance of snow, but the parks and valleys start to turn green as the first flowers bloom. Generally, the temperature in March ranges from +5 to +8, and there is usually little rainfall. As the month progresses, the temperature may rise even to +20, and magnolia trees start to bloom in Salzburg.

April is a month with unpredictable weather. It may snow again after some warm sunny days, and heavy snowfalls with snowdrifts are not uncommon. Unsurprisingly, the local farmers say, "April macht was er will" - which means April does what it wants.

Summer in Salzburg

The weather frequently changes until mid-May. It is usually warm but often snows in the mountains when the weather deteriorates. Only after May 15th we can talk about the temperature stabilization and the arrival of summer. There is a sign that it is not worth planting heat-loving crops until the days of the five ice saints since frosts on the soil occur almost every year until St. Sophia's Day (May 15). There is even a local saying: Di koite Sophi mocht ois hi, that is, Cold Sofia ruins everything. In 2017, for example, snow fell in the mountains until mid-May. The temperature from the second half of May to the beginning of August ranges from +20 to +30 degrees Celcius.

During June and July, the weather in Austria can be hot, reaching up to 35°C. However, heavy showers are common in the evenings and at night. Therefore, it's always wise to pack warm clothes and waterproof outerwear, even when visiting in the summer. Bring jackets (windbreakers) and sturdy shoes if you plan to climb the mountains. Heavy rains are frequent in Salzburg, which can get quite chilly in the mountainous regions.

August is still a warm summer month, but it is starting to rain more frequently. The temperature during the day usually ranges from 25 to 27 degrees Celsius, while at night it is between 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. 

In early September, we can expect warm and dry weather. However, it's as if nature follows a calendar, and as soon as September 1 arrives, we can feel the breath of autumn. The sun shines brightly, but it doesn't provide as much warmth as before. Comfortable temperatures usually range from 20 to 23 degrees Celsius during the daytime until the beginning of October. After that, the nights become cooler, with temperatures of 7 to 10 degrees Celsius. Indian summer, which lasts until mid-October, is a great time to plan a trip to the Alpine region for hiking and cycling.

During the latter half of October, the mountains transform into a beautiful array of colors. The Alpine peaks begin to show snowcaps. The sunny days of Indian summer end on October 20th, after which Salzburg gets covered with leaden clouds and the rainy season starts.