Weather in Innsbruck

Planning your day in the city of Innsbruck? Check out the latest weather updates, forecasts, and useful charts right here.

Innsbruck, located in the heart of the Austrian Alps, is characterized by a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. This means travellers can expect significant fluctuations in temperature and weather conditions throughout the year, making each season attractive to visit in its own way.

Winters in Innsbruck are generally cold, with average temperatures significantly below zero, especially in January and December, creating ideal conditions for winter sports. Spring brings gradual warming, though with changeable weather and increased rainfall, particularly in May. Summer in Innsbruck is usually warm and pleasant, with average temperatures in July and August around 14°C and highs reaching nearly 19°C. The summer months are also the wettest in terms of rainfall, although rainy days are distributed quite evenly. Autumn brings coolness and colourful landscapes, with temperatures gradually dropping towards winter.

Overall, the weather in Innsbruck offers variety: from snowy winter landscapes to sunny summer days in the mountains. Although precipitation is relatively low for most of the year (3-4 mm per month), the summer months (and May) stand out with higher rainfall (7 mm) and a greater number of days with precipitation, which is worth considering when planning outdoor activities.

The temperature regime in Innsbruck demonstrates a pronounced seasonality typical of the Alpine region. The annual temperature course ranges from freezing winter months to moderately warm summers. The coldest months are traditionally January, with an average temperature of about -4.5°C (lows drop to -8.7°C, and highs rarely exceed -0.3°C), and December, where the average temperature is -3.9°C. Conversely, the peak warmth occurs in July and August, when the average temperature hovers around 14.0°C, with daily highs reaching a comfortable 18.8°C - 18.9°C, and nightly lows around 9°C.

The summer months in Innsbruck, from June to August, offer pleasant warmth, ideal for active outdoor recreation. Average daytime temperatures range from 18.0°C in June to almost 19°C in July and August, while nights remain fresh, with temperatures between 7.6°C and 9.2°C. The difference between day and night temperatures in summer is about 10-11°C, ensuring comfortable sleep after warm days. Winter brings true Alpine frosts. From December to February, average temperatures are consistently negative: from -2.5°C in February to -4.5°C in January. Daily highs during this period often remain below zero or hover around that mark (from -0.3°C in January to 2.2°C in February), and nights can be quite cold, with temperatures dropping to -7°C and -8°C. Daily temperature fluctuations in winter are slightly smaller than in summer, amounting to approximately 8-9°C.

The transition seasons – spring and autumn – are characterized by gradual temperature changes. In spring, from March to May, there is a steady rise in average temperatures from 0.0°C in March to 7.4°C in May, with night frosts still possible early in the season, especially in March and April, when minimum temperatures drop to -4.6°C and -1.1°C respectively. In autumn, from September to November, the reverse process occurs: the temperature smoothly decreases from an average of 9.9°C in September to 0.5°C in November, preparing the city for winter cold. Significant differences between daytime and nighttime thermometer readings are also noticeable during these periods; for example, in September, the difference between the average maximum (14.7°C) and minimum (5.2°C) temperature is almost 10°C.

In Innsbruck, precipitation is distributed throughout the year, but its intensity and frequency vary noticeably depending on the season. The highest amount of precipitation, amounting to about 7 mm per month, usually falls between May and August. September is also a relatively wet month, with an average of 6 mm of precipitation recorded. In contrast, the "driest" months in terms of total rainfall are February, March, and November – during this time, only about 3 mm falls.

Regarding precipitation frequency, the summer and late spring months also lead. In May, one can expect an average of 24 days with precipitation, making it the "wettest" month by the number of such days. In June, the number of days with precipitation is about 22, and in July and August – 21 days each. This indicates that the period from late spring to late summer is the wettest not only in volume but also in the frequency of precipitation. The fewest number of days with precipitation falls in November (an average of 13 days), as well as February and October (14 days each). It is important to note that even in drier months, precipitation is not a rarity.

The nature of precipitation in Innsbruck depends directly on the air temperature. In cold winter months, such as January (average temperature -4.5°C) and December (-3.9°C), as well as often in February, precipitation mainly falls as snow. In transition months, such as March (average temperature 0.0°C) and November (0.5°C), both snowfall and rain are possible, sometimes mixed precipitation. With the arrival of warmth, roughly from April to October, precipitation usually takes the form of rain. Given the moderate total amount of millimetres even in the wettest months, summer rains can be frequent but not always prolonged or very heavy.

When planning a trip to Innsbruck, it is important to consider its Alpine climate with distinct seasons, which directly affects wardrobe choices. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable walking shoes are an absolute necessity, as the city and its picturesque surroundings invite long walks. The key principle when packing should be the principle of layering: the weather in the mountains can be changeable, and the ability to easily remove or add a layer of clothing will ensure your comfort throughout the day.

If your trip falls during the cold months (from December to February, as well as early spring or late autumn), be sure to pack a warm waterproof jacket, several sweaters or fleece jumpers, a hat, gloves, and a scarf. Average temperatures in winter drop below freezing (for example, in January around -4.5°C), and precipitation often falls as snow, so thermal underwear and waterproof winter shoes will be very useful. Even in March, the average temperature hovers around 0.0°C, so warm clothes are still relevant.

For a trip in the summer months (from June to August), when the average temperature ranges around 12-14°C with highs up to 19°C, lighter clothing is suitable: t-shirts, shorts, light trousers. However, do not forget about the evenings, which can be cool, so a light jacket or cardigan will come in handy. Given that the summer months, as well as May, are the periods with the highest rainfall (about 7 mm and 21-24 rainy days), an umbrella or compact raincoat will become your faithful companions. Regardless of the season, if you plan to go up into the mountains, do not forget sunscreen and sunglasses, as the sun in the mountains can be very active.