Climate - Trentino (Italy)

The climate of Trentino varies above all according to the altitude, even though there is a small area on the shores of Lake Garda which is mitigated by the waters of the lake.
Trentino is the southern part of the Trentino-Alto Adige region, and corresponds to the autonomous province of Trento. Most of it is occupied by hills and mountains. There are no plains, but there are more or less deep valleys.
Precipitation is relatively abundant, since it generally ranges from 800 to 1,000 millimeters (33.5/40 inches) per year up to 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) of altitude, while in the mountains, it can reach 1,400/1,600 mm (47/63 in) on the southern slopes, on the border with Lombardy and Veneto. Generally, winter is the driest season, while summer is the wettest season, also due to afternoon thunderstorms. Locally, on the southern slopes, the rainiest season is autumn.

Valley floor

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In the southern part of the Sarca valley, on the shores of the small part of Lake Garda which belongs to Trentino and nearby (see Riva del Garda, Torbole, Arco), the climate is almost Mediterranean, in fact the winter is not too cold, while the summer is hot, with thunderstorms in the afternoon and in the evening.
Here are the average temperatures of Torbole, located at an altitude of 65 meters (215 feet), the lowest altitude in the region, on the shores of the lake.



In the Adige valley, at an altitude of 200 meters or 650 feet (see Trento, Rovereto), the climate is generally semi-continental, with cold winters and hot summers.
Here are the average temperatures of Trento, the provincial capital, located at an altitude of 200 meters with mountain ranges on two sides.

Snow at low altitudes in Trentino 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 25 cm (10 in) of snow fell per year on the northern shore of Lake Garda (which is snowier than the south-central shore, in Lombardy and Veneto), 30 cm (12 in) in Rovereto and 50 cm (20 in) in Trento.
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, while the breeze blows on Lake Garda. In these periods, temperatures can reach 35/36 °C (95/97 °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 exceed 30°C (86 °F).
Here are the average temperatures of Cavalese, a town located in the Val di Fiemme, at an altitude of 1,000 meters (3,300 feet) and west of Predazzo.

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.
On the top of Mount Paganella, located above Trento, at an altitude of 2,125 metres (6,971 ft), in winter the temperature can drop below -20 °C (-4 °F), while in summer it can drop to about 0 °C (32 °C) even in July and August. During the day, however, the temperature can exceed 20 °C (68 °F) in the warmest periods. Here are the average temperatures.

In the northwestern part of the province, in the Stelvio National Park, we find the highest peak in Trentino, namely Mount Cevedale, 3,769 meters (12,365 feet) high, belonging to the Ortles-Cevedale group, in the southern Rhaetian Alps, on the border with Lombardy and South Tyrol. In this area there is a glacier.
Further south, in the Adamello and Presanella Alps, occupied by a glacier as well, we find Cima Presanella, 3,558 meters (11,673 ft) high.
To the west of the Presanella we find Mount Presena, 3,069 meters (10,069 ft) high. Here, a smaller glacier is found. In winter, during outbreaks of cold air, the temperature can drop to -25 °C (-13 °F) or even below. In summer, the snow tends to melt, also because in recent years, there have been long periods with temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F). Occasionally the temperature can even exceed 15 °C (59 °F). Here are the average temperatures.

To the east we find the Dolomites, whose highest peak, Punta Penia, at 3,343 meters (10,968 ft), is located on the border with the province of Belluno, Veneto, in the Marmolada group.



In Trentino there are several ski lifts, for example in Val di Fiemme, Val di Fassa (Carezza ski and Passo Pordoi) and Val di Sole (Adamello ski).

Best Time

The best period to visit the cities of the valley floor (see Trento, Rovereto) and the shores of Lake Garda 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.