Climate - South Tyrol (Italy)

The climate of South Tyrol (Alto Adige) varies above all according to the altitude, and is moderately continental at low altitudes, and alpine in the high mountains.
South Tyrol is the northern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, and corresponds to the autonomous province of Bolzano. Most of it is occupied by hills and mountains. There are no plains, but there are more or less deep valleys.
Precipitation in South Tyrol is less abundant than in Trentino (which is more exposed to the south wind), and generally fluctuates between 700 and 900 millimeters (27.5 and 35.5 inches) per year. Generally, winter is the driest season, while summer is the wettest season, also due to afternoon thunderstorms.

Valley floor

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In the Adige valley, at 200-300 meters (650-985 feet) above sea level (see Merano, Bolzano), the area of the province where the altitude is lower, the climate is semi-continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
Here are the average temperatures of Bolzano, the capital of the province.

Snow at low altitudes in South Tyrol is quite rare, because with the cold wind from the north-east, the weather is generally dry. However, sometimes there may be snowfalls with the southerly wind, if there is a sufficient amount of cold air. In previous decades, an average of about 30 cm (12 in) of snow fell per year in Bolzano.
Summer, from June to August, is hot during the day, while nights are generally quite cool. In periods of good weather, the Adige River Valley gets hot, and poor wind conditions make the heat unpleasant. In the hottest periods, temperatures can reach 36/37 °C (97/99 °F) and sometimes even more.

Mountains

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In the valleys located at intermediate altitudes, winter is cold, also because the mountains often block out the sun for a few hours a day, so that cold air stagnates more easily. Snowfalls are frequent, and usually occur from November to March, but sometimes also in April. In summer, temperatures are usually pleasant, although they can sometimes reach 30°C (86 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Dobbiaco (Toblach in German), a town located in the Val Pusteria, at an altitude of 1,200 metres (3,900 feet).

At high altitudes, above the tree line, which is at 1,800/1,900 meters (5,900/6,200 ft), we find an alpine climate. In winter, the temperature is normally below freezing even during the day, while in summer it is very cool.
West of Bolzano, within the Stelvio National Park we find the Ortles, the highest peak in South Tyrol with its 3,905 meters (12,812 ft), belonging to the Southern Rhaetian Alps (a section of the central Alps). In the eastern part of the province we find instead the Dolomites.



In South Tyrol there are several ski lifts, for example in Val Gardena, Plan de Corones, Alpe di Siusi, Alta Badia.

Best Time

The best period to visit the cities of the valley floor (see Merano, Bolzano) is that of spring and early summer, and 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 some days can be acceptable, especially in June. In summer in May, sudden thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening must be put into account.

You can go to the mountains either in winter, perhaps for skiing, and in summer, perhaps for trekking in the mountains and to escape the heat of the plains.