Weather & Climate In Kaprun
Kaprun boasts a moderate continental temperature with considerable annual variations. With daytime temperatures hovering about 25 degrees Celsius, the summer months are warm and pleasant. Often falling below 0 degrees Celsius, the winter months are frigid and snowy.The higher location of Kaprun is the main reason the average daytime temperature is rather lower.
Kaprun lies in the eastern Alps, in Salzburg state. up roughly 800 meters above sea level, it is flanked by mountains up to 3000 meters. The Kitzsteinhorn, with a ski area and glacier, stands tallest close to Kaprun.
Kaprun’s Alpine location affects its temperature and precipitation in numerous respects. First, especially in the winter, Kaprun’s height renders it colder than the nearby plains. The temperature and air pressure drop as one increases altitude. The temperature lowers roughly 0.6 degrees Celsius for every 100 meters of height increase. Kaprun is thus almost 5 degrees Celsius colder than Salzburg, which is roughly 100 kilometers away and at 400 meters above sea level.
Second, the mountains surrounding Kaprun obstruct the air masses passing across Europe. The direction and strength of the wind will determine whether the mountains obstruct or channel the air masses, therefore influencing the precipitation and cloud cover in Kaprun. For instance, the mountains block the cold and damp air from the Atlantic Ocean when the wind blows from the north or northwest, therefore producing a rain shadow effect. Kaprun hence gets more sunshine and less precipitation than on the northern side of the Alps. Conversely, a föhn effect results from the mountains channeling the warm and humid air from the Mediterranean Sea when the wind blows from the south or southeast. Kaprun hence gets less sunshine and more precipitation than the southern side of the Alps.
Third, the existence of the glacier atop the Kitzsteinhorn influences the local microclimate in Kaprun. A thermal inversion is produced by the glacier reflecting a lot of sunlight and chilling the air above it. Unusual is the fact that the air near the glacier is colder than that of higher altitudes. The cold air from the glacier can descend the valley and find Kaprun, therefore reducing the temperature and raising the humidity. As it melts and evaporates in the summer, the glacier also provides moisture; clouds and fog are produced.
| Month | Avg. Temp. (°F) | Avg. Precip. (in) | Avg. Wind Speed (mph) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 27 | 3.54 | 5 |
| Feb | 30 | 3.07 | 5 |
| Mar | 37 | 3.54 | 5 |
| Apr | 46 | 3.66 | 5 |
| May | 55 | 4.88 | 5 |
| Jun | 61 | 6.06 | 5 |
| Jul | 66 | 6.14 | 5 |
| Aug | 65 | 6.14 | 5 |
| Sep | 57 | 4.17 | 5 |
| Oct | 48 | 3.78 | 5 |
| Nov | 36 | 4.13 | 5 |
| Dec | 29 | 3.94 | 5 |
Seasonal Weather Patterns in Kaprun
Spring Weather in Kaprun
In Kaprun, spring is a transitional season whereby the temperature shifts from winter to summer. From an average of 1.8 degrees Celsius in March to 10.7 degrees Celsius in May, the temperature climbs gradually. From an average of 63 mm in March to 107 mm in May, the precipitation likewise rises. Particularly at lower altitudes, the snow melts and the scene gets greener. From an average of 4 hours every day in March to 6 hours every day in May, the sunshine hours also grow. From an average of 9km/h in March until 7km/h in May, the wind speed falls.
Visit Kaprun in spring since the temperature is mild and pleasant and the surroundings are gorgeous. Late snowfall, thunderstorms, or föhn winds are among the erratic weather events, nevertheless. Although the glacier ski area stays open all year, the ski season normally finishes in April.
Summer Weather in Kaprun
Since the Mediterranean air masses shapes the temperature of Kaprun, summer is the wettest and warm season there is. With average July temperature of 17.5 degrees Celsius and August temperature of 17.9 degrees Celsius, the temperature peaks. With an average of 144 mm in July and137 mm in August the precipitation likewise peaks. Mostly in the form of showers and thunderstorms, which can be somewhat strong, the rain falls. With an average of 7 hours every day in June, July, and August, the sunshine hours are highest. Having an average of 6 km/h in June, July, and August, the wind speed is the lowest.
Visiting Kaprun is most common in summer as the temperature is pleasant and the activities are plenty. Still, there could be some negatives including extreme humidity, bugs, or landslides. The summer is also the busiest travel season, hence prices are more and the crowds are bigger. Though the glacier ski area is open, the quality of the snow could be bad.
Autumn Weather in Kaprun
Another season of transition in Kaprun is autumn, when summer gives way to winter. From an average of 13.4 degrees Celsius in September to 9.2 degrees Celsius in October, the temperature progressively falls. From an average of 97 mm in September to 78 mm in October, the precipitation likewise declines. Particularly at higher altitudes, the snow starts to fall and the scene gets vibrantly colored. From an average of six hours per day in September to four hours per day in October, the sunshine hours likewise decline. From an average of 7 km/h in September to 8km/h in October, the wind speed picks.
Visiting Kaprun is best done in autumn when the weather is cold and clear and the surroundings are breathtaking. Still, there might be some erratic weather phenomena such early snowfall, frost, or fog. Though the glacier ski area is open all year round, the ski season often begins in November.
Winter Weather in Kaprun
Given the Atlantic air masses affect the temperature, winter is the coldest and snowiest season Kaprun experiences. With an average in January of -1.8 degrees Celsius and in February of -2.1 degrees Celsius, the temperature hits its lowest. With an average of 88 mm in January and 76 mm in February, the precipitation largely consists in snow. At lower elevations, the snow depth might be up to 150 cm; at higher altitudes, it might be 300 cm. With an average of three hours every day in December, January, and February, the sunshine hours are lowest. Having an average of 10 km/h in December, January, and February, the wind speed is maximum.
Visiting Kaprun is best done in winter as the temperature is low and snowy and the skiing is first-rate. Still, there could be some difficulties including reduced visibility, avalanches, or ice. The peak ski season falls during the winter, hence the slopes are busier and the prices are more. There is open glacier ski area with good quality of snow.
Average Temperatures Throughout the Year
From a minimum of -10.3 degrees Celsius in February to a maximum of 17.9 degrees Celsius in August, Kaprun’s average temperature swings across the year. The temperature averages annually at 6.4 degrees Celsius. Based on past ten years’ data, the average monthly temperatures in Kaprun are displayed below:
| Month | Average High | Average Low |
|---|---|---|
| January | -1.8°C | -9.9°C |
| February | -2.1°C | -10.3°C |
| March | 1.8°C | -6.4°C |
| April | 7.4°C | -2.1°C |
| May | 10.7°C | 1.7°C |
| June | 15.4°C | 5.4°C |
| July | 17.5°C | 7.3°C |
| August | 17.9°C | 7.3°C |
| September | 13.4°C | 4.1°C |
| October | 9.2°C | 0.4°C |
| November | 3.6°C | -4.1°C |
| December | -0.5°C | -8.4°C |
Precipitation Levels in Kaprun
From a minimum of 63 mm in March to a maximum of 144 mm in July, Kaprun’s precipitation level swings all year round. There is 1098 mm of average yearly precipitation. Mostly in the summer, the precipitation falls as rain, and in the winter as snow. Based on past ten years’ data, the average monthly precipitation levels in Kaprun are displayed below:
| Month | Average Precipitation |
|---|---|
| January | 88 mm |
| February | 76 mm |
| March | 63 mm |
| April | 81 mm |
| May | 107 mm |
| June | 118 mm |
| July | 144 mm |
| August | 137 mm |
| September | 97 mm |
| October | 78 mm |
| November | 84 mm |
| December | 85 mm |
Average Humidity in Kaprun
From a minimum of 67% in April to a maximum of 82% in December, Kaprun’s humidity ranges year-wide. The yearly humidity is 76%. The temperature, the precipitation, and the glacier largely control the humidity. Based on last ten years’ worth of data, the average monthly humidity levels in Kaprun are shown below:
| Month | Average Humidity |
|---|---|
| January | 81% |
| February | 80% |
| March | 77% |
| April | 67% |
| May | 69% |
| June | 71% |
| July | 74% |
| August | 75% |
| September | 77% |
| October | 79% |
| November | 81% |
| December | 82% |
Average Wind in Kaprun
From a minimum of 6km/h in June, July, and August to a maximum of 10km/h in December, January, and February, Kaprun’s wind speed swings year-round. The yearly wind speed averages 8 km/h. Though it varies based on the weather system, the wind direction is essentially from the north or northwest. Based on past ten years’ data, the average monthly wind speeds in Kaprun are displayed below:
| Month | Average Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| January | 10 km/h |
| February | 10 km/h |
| March | 9 km/h |
| April | 7 km/h |
| May | 7 km/h |
| June | 6 km/h |
| July | 6 km/h |
| August | 6 km/h |
| September | 7 km/h |
| October | 8 km/h |
| November | 8 km/h |
| December | 10 km/h |
Average Sunshine Hours in Kaprun
From a low of three hours each day in December, January, and February to a maximum of seven hours each day in June, July, and August, Kaprun’s sunshine hours change year-round. Five hours daily are the average annual sunlight hours. Mostly, the cloud cover, precipitation, and latitude affect the sunshine hours. Based on last ten years’ worth of data, the average monthly sunlight hours in Kaprun are displayed below:
| Month | Average Sunshine Hours |
|---|---|
| January | 3 |
| February | 3 |
| March | 4 |
| April | 5 |
| May | 6 |
| June | 7 |
| July | 7 |
| August | 7 |
| September | 6 |
| October | 4 |
| November | 3 |
| December | 3 |
