Today's weather for Salzburg, Austria22nd Nov 2009 04:20

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Weather Overview for Salzburg

Salzburg has a continental climate but because of it’s proximity to the mountains the city also at times experiences an Alpine influenced climate. Summers are warm and enjoyable; however rainy days are quite regular. Winters are cold with temperatures lingering just above or below freezing point so plenty of snow can be expected.

January is typically the coldest month and July the warmest. It is a city with four distinct seasons and moods. The attraction of Salzburg has an exquisite way of changing with the seasons; a writer once privileged Salzburg with the words “it is always beautiful, and, whatever the season, one always thinks that it is the one which most enhances the city's beauty”.

With a fairly modern and typically Austrian climate, the weather in Salzburg is usually fairly pleasing, despite of the time of year. However, the summer weather in Salzburg is the most appealing and inviting, and sees a noticeable climb in visitor numbers. Temperatures throughout this time will generally range between 16°C to 18°C, but can often reach highs of 21°C to 22°C.

From May to September, the summer climate sees daytime temperatures averaging around 20°C, climbing considerably higher at times. Many annual events are held during the summer season, such as the Salzburg Festival, which begins at the end of July and lasts no less than five weeks.

Towards the end of September, the autumnal climate soon becomes apparent, with early mornings and evenings feel chilly and rather fresh. By December, overnight frosts become routine, followed soon after by snow, particularly in January and February.

Salzburg is actually known for being a fairly wet city at times, and even if you are visiting during June, July or August, in the height of the summer, you can expect to experience some rainy weather at times, although this is usually light and quite intermittent.

Winter is actually the driest time, with only a few days of rain expected between December and January. Temperatures will become very chilly throughout the winter months; sometimes plummeting to as cold as -7°C. However the average temperature throughout the duration of winter will generally hover around zero. Over this period of time snow can at times fall quite heavily; usually averaging at 10 days of snow per month.

Because Salzburg is very much “alive and buzzing” twelve months a year; there’s really no particular fitting time to travel to the city. Spring and summer bring a wealth of colour to the regions, parks and surrounding hills, and this period draws the major tourist crowds. The period from the end of November through to Christmas is also an increasingly popular period when skiers descend on the entire country and Salzburg too affords little escape from snow lovers passing through.

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