Climate - Krakow (Poland)

The climate of Krakow is moderately continental, characterized by cold winters, with temperatures often below freezing (0 °C or 32 °F), and pleasantly warm summers.
Krakow is the second largest city in Poland, and it is located in the south of the country, 200 meters (650 feet) above sea level, in Lesser Poland Voivodeship. It is crossed by the Vistula River, which then turns north, passes through Warsaw and then flows into the sea near Gdansk.
Winter is cold and gray. Snowfalls are frequent, but generally not abundant.
Sometimes, cold waves from Siberia can occur, and the temperatures can drop to -20 °C (-4 °F) or below. The coldest record is -30 °C (-22 °F) and was set in January 1987.
In summer, the temperatures are pleasant and suitable for outdoor activities, although sometimes there can be rains and thunderstorms.
Every now and then (and more often in recent years due to global warming), there can be short heat waves, with maximum temperatures exceeding 30 °C (86 °F). The highest record is 37.3 °C (99.1 °F) and was set in August 2013.

Best Time

The best time to visit Krakow runs from mid-May to mid-September, since it is the warmest and sunniest period of the year. Sometimes, it can be hot in July and August, while in other circumstances, nights can be cool or even a little cold even in these months, so it can be useful to bring a sweatshirt or sweater and a light jacket for the evening.

Krakow - Climate data

In Krakow, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of -1.6 °C (29.2 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 19.6 °C (67.2 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
In Krakow, precipitation amounts to 675 millimeters (26.6 inches) per year: so, it is at an intermediate level. It ranges from 30 mm (1.2 in) in the driest month (February) to 100 mm (3.9 in) in the wettest one (July). Here is the average precipitation.
In Krakow, there are on average around 1455 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Krakow - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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In January, the coldest month of the year, the weather in Krakow is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -1.6 °C (29 °F), with a minimum of -4.7 °C (23.5 °F) and a maximum of 1.6 °C (34.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -15.5 °C (4 °F). However, it dropped to -26.7 °C (-16.1 °F) in January 2006.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 10 °C (50 °F). However, it reached 15 °C (59 °F) in January 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 16% of the time.
The average humidity is 85%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In February, the weather in Krakow is usually very cold. The average temperature is of 0 °C (32 °F), with a minimum of -3.7 °C (25.3 °F) and a maximum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13 °C (9 °F). However, it dropped to -23.3 °C (-9.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 12 °C (54 °F). However, it reached 17 °C (62.6 °F) in February 2017.
Precipitation amounts to 30 mm (1.2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 2.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 22% of the time.
The average humidity is 82%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (7 mph).

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In March, the weather in Krakow is usually cold. The average temperature is of 3.8 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of -0.8 °C (30.6 °F) and a maximum of 8.4 °C (47.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -8 °C (17.5 °F). However, it dropped to -18 °C (-0.4 °F) in March 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 18 °C (64.5 °F). However, it reached 22 °C (71.6 °F) in March 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 27% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 12 kph (8 mph).

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In April, the weather in Krakow is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 3.7 °C (38.7 °F) and a maximum of 15.1 °C (59.2 °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 -7 °C (19.4 °F) in April 2013.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76 °F). However, it reached 30 °C (86 °F) in April 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 45 mm (1.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 11 kph (7 mph).

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In May, the weather in Krakow is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.2 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 19.8 °C (67.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 2 °C (35.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.2 °C (26.2 °F) in May 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 28 °C (82 °F). However, it reached 32.6 °C (90.7 °F) in May 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 30 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In June, the weather in Krakow is usually very mild. The average temperature is of 17.7 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (54 °F) and a maximum of 23.2 °C (73.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 6.5 °C (43.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.7 °C (33.3 °F) in June 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34.2 °C (93.6 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 80 mm (3.1 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 16 hours and 20 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 39% 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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In July, the warmest month of the year, the weather in Krakow is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.6 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.8 °C (56.8 °F) and a maximum of 25.3 °C (77.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8.5 °C (47 °F). However, it dropped to 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in July 2015.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). However, it reached 35.6 °C (96.1 °F) in July 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 100 mm (3.9 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 50 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 7 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In August, the weather in Krakow is usually warm. The average temperature is of 19.2 °C (67 °F), with a minimum of 13.4 °C (56.1 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (77 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 4.3 °C (39.7 °F) in August 2008.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 32.5 °C (90 °F). However, it reached 37.2 °C (99 °F) in August 2013.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 25 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 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 8 kph (5 mph).

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In September, the weather in Krakow is usually mild. The average temperature is of 14.4 °C (58 °F), with a minimum of 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) and a maximum of 19.5 °C (67.1 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3 °C (37 °F). However, it dropped to -0.6 °C (30.9 °F) in September 2018.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 35 °C (95 °F) in September 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 33% of the time.
The average humidity is 79%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (5 mph).

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In October, the weather in Krakow is usually mild. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 4.7 °C (40.5 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57.2 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (26 °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 23.5 °C (74 °F). However, it reached 27.1 °C (80.8 °F) in October 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 50 mm (2 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 40 minutes.
There are on average 3 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 30% of the time.
The average humidity is 83%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 9 kph (6 mph).

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In November, the weather in Krakow is usually quite cold. The average temperature is of 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 0.6 °C (33.1 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.7 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -7 °C (19.5 °F). However, it dropped to -13.4 °C (7.9 °F) in November 2007.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 21.9 °C (71.4 °F) in November 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 40 mm (1.6 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 1.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 18% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).

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In December, the weather in Krakow is usually very cold. The average temperature is of -0.4 °C (31 °F), with a minimum of -3.4 °C (25.9 °F) and a maximum of 2.7 °C (36.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -13.5 °C (8 °F). However, it dropped to -25 °C (-13 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 11 °C (51.5 °F). However, it reached 17.1 °C (62.8 °F) in December 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 35 mm (1.4 in), distributed over 8 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 5 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 1 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 13% of the time.
The average humidity is 87%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 10 kph (6 mph).