Carinthia
Austria · Europe
The best time to visit Carinthia is May, June, July, August, and September. In summer, daytime highs average 27°C (81°F), with peaks around 33°C (91°F); in winter, nights average -5°C (23°F), dropping to around -12°C (10°F) on the coldest. All climate data are based on historical monthly averages (2005–2025) to help you plan the optimal travel time.
Carinthia – What you should know
Carinthia lies on the southern side of the main Alpine ridge, and that is what sets it apart from Tyrol: 27°C (81°F) in July rather than 24°C (75°F), with summers noticeably warmer than north of the mountains. The Wörthersee, the Millstätter See and the Faaker See warm up so much in midsummer that Carinthia counts as swimming country — an exception among Alpine regions.
Winter, in return, has a problem that shows plainly in the figures: sunlight. November and December manage only 1.6 hours a day, January 1.9 — lower even than northern Germany. The cause is inversion weather, where cold air pools in the basins and high fog persists for days while the peaks above stand in sunshine. Anyone seeking winter sun has to go up.
Summer brings thunderstorms: 122 mm (4.8 in) in July, 143 mm (5.6 in) in August and 128 mm (5.0 in) in September, across eight to nine days each. The finest months are June at 25°C (77°F) and early autumn, when the lakes are still warm and the crowds have thinned. For walking in the Nockberge or around the Weissensee, September and early October are ideal at 15–21°C (59–70°F).
Climate Overview
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ø day, range from coolest to warmest dayØ dayrange | 2° (36°)-4– (25–)9 (48) | 6° (43°)-1– (30–)12 (54) | 12° (54°)2– (36–)20 (68) | 17° (63°)6– (43–)24 (75) | 21° (70°)11– (52–)28 (82) | 25° (77°)16– (61–)33 (91) | 27° (81°)18– (64–)33 (91) | 26° (79°)17– (63–)33 (91) | 21° (70°)12– (54–)28 (82) | 16° (61°)7– (45–)22 (72) | 8° (46°)1– (34–)16 (61) | 2° (36°)-4– (25–)9 (48) |
Ø night, range from coldest to warmest nightØ nightrange | -5° (23°)-12– (10–)1 (34) | -3° (27°)-10– (14–)1 (34) | 0° (32°)-6– (21–)5 (41) | 5° (41°)-2– (28–)11 (52) | 9° (48°)3– (37–)14 (57) | 14° (57°)8– (46–)18 (64) | 15° (59°)9– (48–)19 (66) | 15° (59°)8– (46–)18 (64) | 11° (52°)4– (39–)16 (61) | 6° (43°)-1– (30–)12 (54) | 2° (36°)-5– (23–)7 (45) | -3° (27°)-10– (14–)2 (36) |
☀️Sunshine | 2h UV 2 | 4h UV 4 | 6h UV 5 | 7h UV 7 | 7h UV 7 | 8h UV 8 | 8h UV 8 | 8h UV 7 | 6h UV 6 | 4h UV 4 | 2h UV 2 | 2h UV 2 |
🌧Rain Days | 3d34mm (1.3") | 4d40mm (1.6") | 4d46mm (1.8") | 6d57mm (2.3") | 9d101mm (4.0") | 8d101mm (4.0") | 9d122mm (4.8") | 9d143mm (5.6") | 8d128mm (5.0") | 6d90mm (3.5") | 6d83mm (3.2") | 5d52mm (2.0") |
Best travel timeØ = average · small figures = range: coolest–warmest day / coldest–warmest nightClimate data 2005–2025 · Source: ERA5 + station data
Travel Tips
April offers great weather in Carinthia with fewer tourists and lower prices — ideal for those who want to avoid the peak season crowds.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When is the best time to visit Carinthia?
- The best time to visit Carinthia is May, June, July, August, and September. These months offer the most favourable combination of sunshine, temperatures, and low rainfall.
- How warm does it get in Carinthia?
- In summer, daytime highs in Carinthia average 27°C (81°F), with peaks around 33°C (91°F); in winter, nights average -5°C (23°F), dropping to around -12°C (10°F) on the coldest.
- How much rain does Carinthia get?
- Carinthia has a relatively even rainfall pattern with an average of 6 rain days per month. The driest months are January, February, and March.
Best Travel Time by Vacation Type
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City Trip
Pleasantly mild, not too hot
JunJulAug
