Weather in Zagreb

Planning a trip or simply interested in the weather in Zagreb? Here you will find the most up-to-date information on weather conditions, as well as detailed forecasts to help you be prepared for any of nature's surprises.

Zagreb, the capital of Croatia, possesses a temperate continental climate. This means the city experiences four clearly defined seasons, each with its own unique weather conditions. Travellers can expect significant temperature fluctuations throughout the year, ranging from cool winters to warm summers.

Summer in Zagreb is generally warm and sunny, with average temperatures in July and August around 23°C, making these months ideal for walking and exploring the city. Winters, conversely, are cool; the average temperature in January is around 2.5°C, and it sometimes drops below freezing, so warm clothing will be very useful. Spring and autumn offer mild transitional weather, with gradual warming in the spring and pleasant cooling in the autumn.

Regarding precipitation, it is distributed relatively evenly throughout the year, although May stands out with a large number of rainy days (18 days). Overall, the amount of precipitation is low, allowing you to plan outdoor activities most of the time. The city offers comfortable conditions for visiting in different seasons, depending on your preferences – whether it be the blooming spring, sunny summer, or colourful autumn.

The temperature regime in Zagreb demonstrates a clear change of seasons with a noticeable annual temperature range. The hottest months are July and August, when the average air temperature reaches 23.1°C. During these summer peaks, daytime highs regularly rise to 28.5°C, creating conditions for truly warm, occasionally hot weather. However, even in the height of summer, nights bring relief: minimum temperatures drop to a comfortable 17.8°C. June is also very warm, with an average temperature of 21.3°C and maximum values up to 26.6°C, heralding the arrival of the hottest period.

The winter period in Zagreb, especially January, is the coldest time of the year. The average January temperature is only 2.5°C, and night-time lows can drop to -1.0°C, bringing frosts. December and February are also cool, with average temperatures of 3.4°C and 4.9°C respectively, and minimum night-time values around 0.2°C. Daytime highs in winter rarely exceed 6-9.5°C. An important feature of Zagreb's climate is the noticeable diurnal temperature fluctuations throughout the year: the difference between day and night temperatures can range from 6°C in winter to over 10°C in the summer and transitional months, making evenings fresh even after warm days.

When planning a trip to Zagreb, it is useful to familiarise yourself with the precipitation patterns throughout the year. An analysis of the provided climate data for Zagreb reveals certain regularities in precipitation distribution, with fluctuations in both quantity and frequency across seasons. This information will help you better prepare for your journey.

According to this data, the highest volume of precipitation (4 mm) falls in May and September. At the same time, May also stands out for maximum frequency – precipitation is recorded here on average 18 days in the month. The lowest amount of precipitation (2 mm) in this dataset is characteristic of January, February, March, April, and October. In terms of frequency, the "driest" months are February (7 rainy days) and October (8 days).

In the winter period, especially in January (average temperature 2.5°C, minimum -1.0°C) and December (average temperature 3.4°C, minimum 0.2°C), low temperatures contribute to the falling of snow. In these months, as well as in February (minimum temperature 0.2°C), precipitation can be in solid form. In warmer periods of the year, precipitation falls primarily as rain. For example, summer months such as July and August bring about 3 mm of precipitation, which is distributed over 10-11 days, suggesting brief or non-intense rains given such a volume.

When packing your suitcase for a trip to Zagreb, it is important to consider seasonality and the city's characteristic weather. Regardless of the time of year, comfortable shoes for walking on cobblestone streets will be your best friend. The principle of layering clothes also works excellently in Zagreb, as day and evening temperatures can differ noticeably, especially in the transitional seasons. Do not forget an umbrella or a light waterproof jacket, as precipitation is possible year-round, with a peak of rainy days in May (18 days) and a notable amount of precipitation in September as well.

If your trip falls during summer (June-August), when the average temperature holds around 21-23°C and the maximum can reach 28.5°C, pack light clothing: t-shirts, shorts, dresses, sandals. Be sure to take sunscreen and a hat. For winter (December-February), with its average temperatures of 2.5-4.9°C and possible frosts down to -1°C, warm items will be required: sweaters, a warm jacket or coat, a hat, a scarf, gloves, and possibly thermal underwear. Given that precipitation in winter may fall as snow, waterproof footwear will be useful.

In spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November), the weather in Zagreb is changeable. Temperatures fluctuate from cool to moderately warm (for example, from 7.4°C in March to 17.7°C in September). During these periods, jeans or trousers, jumpers, and light jackets or raincoats are ideal. In May and September, when the amount of precipitation is higher, waterproof clothing and footwear will be particularly relevant. It can be cool in the evening, so a light sweater or cardigan will come in handy even on warm days in the off-season.