Weather and climate in Bolzano (South Tyrol)

In Bolzano (Bozen in German), the capital of the province of the same name, in the Trentino-Alto Adige region, the climate is semi-continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
The city lies in a valley, at 250 meters (800 ft) above sea level.
The average temperature ranges from 2 °C (35.5 °F) in January to 23.5 °C (74.5 °F) in July. The daily temperature range is generally quite high, in fact, night frosts are the norm in winter, while in summer, although days can be hot, nights remain usually cool. Here are the average temperatures.

Precipitation is moderate, since it amounts to about 700 millimeters (27.5 in) per year; the rainiest season is summer, also because of afternoon thunderstorms, while the driest season is winter.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is cold, usually with night temperatures below the freezing point (0 °C or 32 °F) and daytime temperatures a few degrees above. Although it is a dry season, the sky is often cloudy, and at night, fog can sometimes form (though much more rarely than in the Po Valley). In periods of good weather, diurnal temperature variation can be substantial.
Winter is definitely the driest season of the year, in fact, it might not rain or snow for weeks.
Owing to the scarcity of precipitation, snow in Bolzano is quite rare, although some snowfalls occur every year. On average, about 30 centimeters (12 inches) of snow fall per year, as a sum of several light snowfalls. However, a more abundant snowfall may occasionally occur, around 20/30 cm (8/12 in). In Bolzano, it usually snows when the wind blows from the south: during cold air intrusions from the north-east, the city often receives a wind descending from the mountains, dry and relatively mild.
Although the night temperature usually drops to around -5/-7 °C (19/23 °F), it drops below -10 °C (14 °F) only during the most intense cold waves. Here are some values recorded in the coldest winters: -15.5 °C (4 °F) in February 1956, -18.5 °C (-1.5 °F) in January 1961 (record), -16.5 °C (2.5 °F) in December 1962, -16 °C (3 °F) in January 1963, -16.5 °C (2.5 °F) in January 1966, -14 °C (7 °F) in January 1967 and in January 1979, -17 °C (1.5 °F) in January 1985, and -15 °C (5 °F) in January 1987.

In spring, daytime temperatures become rapidly milder, while nights remain cold, at least in the first part. In fine weather, the valley of Bolzano easily heats up, so already in April (and sometimes even in March) highs can exceed 20 °C (68 °F), and they can sometimes reach 25 °C (77 °F). However, Atlantic disturbances, able to bring rainfall, are quite frequent. In late April or May, the first heat thunderstorms can occur.

Summer, from June to August, is hot during the day, while nights are generally quite cool. In periods of good weather, the Bolzano basin gets hot, and light wind conditions make the heat unpleasant.
In these periods, temperatures can reach 34/35 °C (93/95 °F) and sometimes even more. At the end of June 2019, the temperature reached 40 °C (104 °F), which represents the new heat record, while previously it was 39 °C (102 °F), recorded in July 1983 and August 2003.
However, because of its northern location, the city is reached with some frequency by the tail of Atlantic fronts, which can bring a bit of cloudiness and even rain, while in the afternoon or in the evening, a thunderstorm may break out. For this reason, the amount of sunshine in summer is not very high (see below).

Autumn, from September to November, is initially pleasant, then gradually becomes cooler, and later cold and gray. Temperatures gradually decrease, and at night, it starts to get pretty cold quite early, while daytime temperatures are still mild, especially on sunny days, and even warm in September. The first night frosts are typically recorded in early November, but sometimes, already in the second half of October. The rains are frequent, and from mid-October, the sun begins to be seen quite rarely.



Bolzano does not get a lot of sun, at least in comparison with the Italian standard. The sun can shine all year round, but in winter, there are many gray days, and in spring and autumn, Atlantic fronts pass often enough, while in summer, in addition to some Atlantic fronts, cloudiness can develop in the afternoon, which may result in some heat thunderstorms.
On average, there are 3 hours of sunshine per day in December, 7.5 hours in July and 7 hours in August, for a total of almost 1,900 hours of sunshine per year. Here are the average sunshine hours per day.

Best Time

The best times to visit Bolzano are spring and early summer, in particular, from mid-April to mid-June. September, too, is a good month. However, you have to take into account some rainy days in both periods.
Summer can be hot, although there may be some pleasant or at least acceptable periods, especially in June. In summer, and sometimes in late spring, thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon or in the evening.

In December, Bolzano receives many tourists who come to visit the Christmas markets, while both in winter and in summer, you can take a break here as part of a holiday in the mountains of the region.

Bolzano - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 1.8 °C (35 °F), with a minimum of -3.3 °C (26 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (17 °F). However, it dropped to -12.9 °C (8.8 °F) in January 2002.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it reached 21.8 °C (71.2 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (2 mph).

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.6 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of -1 °C (30.3 °F) and a maximum of 10.2 °C (50.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -6 °C (21 °F). However, it dropped to -11 °C (12.2 °F) in February 1991.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 25 mm (1 in), distributed over 3 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 41% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.6 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.4 °C (38.1 °F) and a maximum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26.5 °F). However, it dropped to -10.7 °C (12.7 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 23 °C (73.5 °F). However, it reached 28.5 °C (83.3 °F) in March 2014.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 40% of the time.
The average humidity is 51%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 6.9 °C (44.4 °F) and a maximum of 19.7 °C (67.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -1.7 °C (28.9 °F) in April 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 26.5 °C (79.5 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 54%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 11.3 °C (52.4 °F) and a maximum of 24.1 °C (75.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 1 °C (33.8 °F) in May 2019.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34.3 °C (93.7 °F) in May 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 38% of the time.
The average humidity is 56%.
The average wind speed is 8 kph (5 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 21.5 °C (71 °F), with a minimum of 15.1 °C (59.3 °F) and a maximum of 27.9 °C (82.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47.5 °F). However, it dropped to 4.5 °C (40.1 °F) in June 1996.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34 °C (93.5 °F). However, it reached 40 °C (104 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 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 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. However, there are remarkable differences between night and day. The average temperature is of 23.4 °C (74 °F), with a minimum of 16.8 °C (62.3 °F) and a maximum of 29.9 °C (85.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 7.5 °C (45.5 °F) in July 1993.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94.5 °F). However, it reached 38 °C (100.4 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 90 mm (3.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 57%.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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August is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 23.0 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 16.6 °C (61.8 °F) and a maximum of 29.4 °C (84.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 34.5 °C (94 °F). However, it reached 39.1 °C (102.4 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.4 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 12.5 °C (54.5 °F) and a maximum of 24.2 °C (75.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 3.5 °C (38.3 °F) in September 2002.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 29.5 °C (85 °F). However, it reached 33 °C (91.4 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 48% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.1 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 8.1 °C (46.6 °F) and a maximum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -4.4 °C (24.1 °F) in October 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24 °C (75.5 °F). However, it reached 28.8 °C (83.8 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 7 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 50 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).

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November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 6.9 °C (44 °F), with a minimum of 2.2 °C (35.9 °F) and a maximum of 11.5 °C (52.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -4.5 °C (24 °F). However, it dropped to -7.2 °C (19 °F) in November 2008.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18.5 °C (65 °F). However, it reached 21.1 °C (70 °F) in November 2004.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 mph).

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December is generally a cold month. The average temperature is of 2.1 °C (36 °F), with a minimum of -2.7 °C (27.1 °F) and a maximum of 6.8 °C (44.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8.5 °C (16.5 °F). However, it dropped to -11.9 °C (10.6 °F) in December 2009.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 13 °C (55.5 °F). However, it reached 18 °C (64.4 °F) in December 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 36% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 3 kph (2 mph).