Climate in Munich (Bavaria)

In Munich, the capital of the state of Bavaria, located in south-eastern Germany, 500 meters (1,600 feet) above sea level, the climate is slightly continental, with cold winters and mild to pleasantly warm summers.
Owing to its location far from the sea and close to the Alps, the city is exposed to cold waves, so it is often the coldest city in all of Germany, while in summer, it is subject to thunderstorms.
The city is also subject to the Föhn, a warm and dry wind that descends from the mountains (the Bavarian Alps to the south, which become clearly visible when this wind blows because it clears the air) and is capable of causing a rapid increase in temperature and a decrease in relative humidity; this wind is most common in autumn (but it can also blow in winter and spring).
Precipitation is quite abundant, around 950 millimeters (37.5 inches) per year. Owing to afternoon thunderstorms, the rainiest period is from May to August, when rainfall exceeds 100 mm (4 in) per month. In the other seasons, the rain often falls in the form of short showers (sometimes even of snow), or in the form of drizzle or light snow.



Winter, from December to February, is cold: the temperature is on average a few degrees above freezing (0 °C or 32 °F) during the day, and a few degrees below at night.
However, different weather situations can occur.
When the westerlies blow, the temperature remains above freezing during the day, and around freezing at night; rain can fall during the day, and maybe a light snow in the coldest hours.
When the Föhn blows, the temperature can exceed 10 °C (50 °F), and it can sometimes be mild even at night.
On anticyclonic periods, the weather is cold, the sky is gray and fog can form, and sometimes, the temperature remains below freezing even during the day. Fog is more frequent in the northern part of the city.
On the other hand, when the city is reached by cold air masses from Russia, the temperature drops below freezing, for longer or shorter periods, even during the day. Minimum temperatures around -15 °C (5 °F) are not so rare, and in the coldest winters, which in the past used to be more frequent, they can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F). At the botanical garden, the coldest record is -31.6 °C (-24.9 °F) and was set in February 1929.
Snowfalls in Munich are frequent, and often occur in the form of light snow, but sometimes they can be abundant.

Spring, from March to May, is initially cold, then it gradually becomes milder, however, cold weather can return, and late snowfalls and frosts are possible still in April. Some cold days, with highs around 10 °C (50 °F) and lows around freezing, can also occur in May, especially in the first half of the month.
On sunny days, in April and May, the temperature can become mild, or even warm, during the day, but the daily temperature range is often considerable, so that nights can remain a bit cold.

Summer, from June to August, is pleasantly warm during the day, though nights can be cool when the sky is clear, and sometimes even a little cold. Atlantic disturbances may pass over the city even in this season, bringing cool and rainy days, though less frequently than in northern Germany. There can also be some hot and sunny days, with temperatures reaching 28/32 °C (82/90 °F), however, with some risk of afternoon thunderstorms, sometimes intense and accompanied by hail.
More rarely, the temperature can even exceed 35 °C (95 °F). The highest record is 37 °C (98.6 °F) and was set in August 2003. However, Munich is quite sheltered from the heat waves that have been affecting the lowlands of Germany in recent years.

Autumn, from September to November, is initially pleasant, ie in the first half of September, then it gradually becomes more cold, dull and wet. The first night frosts usually occur in November, but sometimes also in October. On calm nights, fog can form, while the Föhn can bring mild and clear days.
During the Oktoberfest, which is held in the last two weekends of September and in the first of October, you can expect minimum temperatures around 5/8 °C (41/46 °F) and maximum temperatures around 15/18 °C (59/64 °F). When the Föhn blows, highs can reach 25 °C (77 °F), while on other occasions, especially in early October, it can be colder, with highs about 10 °C (50 °F), hence, already with almost winter-like weather. You can check the weather forecast just before leaving, or you can bring spring/autumn clothes, with some warmer clothes (a warm jacket, a sweater), for the evening and for colder days.

Munich does not get a lot of sun in autumn and winter, in fact, the sun rarely shines from November to February. It goes a bit better in late spring and summer, in fact there are on average 7/8 hours of sunshine per day from May to August: for a German city, it's no small thing.

Best Time

The best time to visit Munich runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the mildest of the year. July and August are the warmest months. However, it's better to bring a sweatshirt or sweater, a light jacket and an umbrella, for cool and rainy days, or a raincoat, which can be useful for sudden thunderstorms.

The following weather data was collected at the former Munich-Riem Airport.

Munich - Climate data

In Munich, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -0.4 °C (31.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 18.6 °C (65.5 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 950 millimeters (37.4 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 45 mm (1.8 in) in the driest month (February) to 120 mm (4.7 in) in the wettest ones (June, July) Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 1850 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Munich - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a very cold month. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3.5 °C (25.7 °F) and a maximum of 2.8 °C (37 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (7.5 °F). However, it dropped to -21 °C (-5.8 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11.5 °C (53 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in January 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (9 mph).

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February is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.8 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) and a maximum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -11.5 °C (11 °F). However, it dropped to -23 °C (-9.4 °F) in February 2005.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 20 °C (68 °F) in February 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 20 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 81%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 14 kph (8 mph).

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March is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.7 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 0 °C (32 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (20 °F). However, it dropped to -24 °C (-11.2 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 19 °C (66 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in March 2010.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 15 kph (9 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.9 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 14.5 °C (58.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in April 2020.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23.5 °C (74.5 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 55 mm (2.2 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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May is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 7.9 °C (46.1 °F) and a maximum of 18.7 °C (65.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in May 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in May 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 110 mm (4.3 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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June is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.8 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 11.4 °C (52.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.1 °C (71.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (42 °F). However, it dropped to 2 °C (35.6 °F) in June 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (86.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in June 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.6 °C (66 °F), with a minimum of 13.1 °C (55.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 5 °C (41 °F) in July 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in July 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 120 mm (4.7 in), distributed over 13 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 35 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.3 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.6 °C (54.7 °F) and a maximum of 24 °C (75.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7 °C (44.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3 °C (37.4 °F) in August 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (88.5 °F). However, it reached 37 °C (98.6 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 115 mm (4.5 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 10 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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September is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.7 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.2 °F) and a maximum of 19 °C (66.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (36 °F). However, it dropped to -1 °C (30.2 °F) in September 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.1 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.6 °C (56.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (29 °F). However, it dropped to -7 °C (19.4 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F). However, it reached 27 °C (80.6 °F) in October 2009.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 84%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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November is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.8 °C (33.4 °F) and a maximum of 7.2 °C (45 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -16 °C (3.2 °F) in November 2010.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (61 °F). However, it reached 21 °C (69.8 °F) in November 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 10 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 26% of the time.
The average humidity is 88%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 0.7 °C (33 °F), with a minimum of -2.2 °C (28 °F) and a maximum of 3.6 °C (38.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -12 °C (10.5 °F). However, it dropped to -22 °C (-7.6 °F) in December 2001.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12.5 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in December 1993.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 12 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 25 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 2 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 25% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 13 kph (8 mph).