Weather & Climate In Sankt Anton am Arlberg

Four different seasons define the humid continental climate (Dfb) Sankt Anton am Arlberg experiences. These seasons comprise warm and rainy summers and cold and snowy winters. Still, the latitude and elevation of a place can affect the humidity in the zone of humid continental climate. Rising in the high Alps, Sankt Anton am Arlberg has a subalpine climate distinguished by shorter growing seasons, more precipitation, and lower temperatures than those of lower altitudes.

Located in western Austria, Sankt Anton am Arlberg is near the borders of Germany and Switzerland. Perched 1,304 meters above sea level, it is surrounded by the Arlberg mountain range, a part of the Central Eastern Alps. Since the Arlberg area was the first place in the world to offer ski instructors training and certification, it is considered as the birthplace of alpine skiing. Comprising Sankt Anton am Arlberg with the nearby town of Lech, the Arlberg Pass is among the highest and snowiest passes in the Alps.

Sankt Anton’s position greatly affects its climate and the weather. Arlberg In the western part of Austria, Sankt Anton am Arlberg is influenced by the Atlantic Ocean, which brings mild and moist air masses to the region. But Sankt Anton am Arlberg is also influenced by the orographic effect, which is defined by the rise and cooling of air masses as they come across mountains, so producing clouds and precipitation. This results from its altitude in the Alps. Furthermore acting as a barrier preventing the cold and dry air from the north and east, the Arlberg mountain range creates a microclimate more humid and warmer than that of the surrounding areas.

Category	Value
Average Temperature	-0.3 °C (31.5 °F)
Record high °C (°F)	24.6 °C (76.3 °F)
Record low °C (°F)	-23.8 °C (-10.8 °F)
Average Precipitation	1954 mm (76.9 inch)
Average Humidity	75%
Average Wind	7 km/h (4 mph)
Average Sunshine Hours	4.3 hours

Table Of Contents

1 Seasonal Weather Variations
2 Average Temperature Throughout the Year
3 Precipitation Patterns
4 Snowfall in Sankt Anton
5 Related Articles
6 Go Next...

Seasonal Weather Variations

Winter Weather Conditions

Seasonal Weather Variations

Sankt Anton am Arlberg has its winter from December to March. The features of winter are low temperatures, lots of precipitation, and copious snowfall. With an average of almost -3°C, the lowest temperature in winter is -15°C or less. With an average of almost 200 milliliters per month, most of the winter precipitation falls as snow. While the mountain tops have an average snow depth of 300 cm in winter, the valley floor suffers an average of 150 cm. Winter sports including skiing, snowboarding, and others are best suited for the conditions.

Spring Weather Conditions

Seasonal Weather Variations

Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s spring season runs April through May. Melting snow, lower precipitation, and higher temperatures define the spring weather. Spring’s average temperature is around 7°C; the highest temperature will be found at 15°C or above. About 100 milliliters of average monthly precipitation falls during the spring; some of it falls as rain. While the mountain tops have an average snow depth of 150 cm in the spring, the valley level sees an average of 50 cm. Riding, hiking, and skiing are suited for the springtime conditions.

Summer Weather Conditions

Seasonal Weather Variations

The summer months in Sankt Anton am Arlberg run from June through August. Summer’s marks are high temperatures, little precipitation, and sunny days. The average summer temperature is about 15°C; the highest temperature reaches 25°C or above. With an average of almost 80 mm per month, most of the summer’s precipitation falls as rain. While the mountain tops experience an average snow depth of 50 cm in summer, the valley floor sees an average of 0 cm. Summertime is the best times to hike, bike, and climb.

Autumn Weather Conditions

Seasonal Weather Variations

Sankt Anton am Arlberg observes its autumn from September to November. The autumnal weather stands out for a drop in temperature, more precipitation, and a color change. With an average of about 8°C, autumn’s lowest temperature is 0°C or less. The typical monthly precipitation in autumn is about 120 mm, of which some falls as snow. During the autumn, the valley’s average snow depth is around 10 cm and the mountain tops’ 100 cm. For hiking, biking, and sightseeing, the autumnal conditions are perfect.

Average Temperature Throughout the Year

The average temperature in Sankt Anton am Arlberg is influenced by the seasonal cycle of the sun, the location’s altitude, and the local weather conditions as well as by Table below shows the average monthly temperature of Sankt Anton am Arlberg based on data gathered between 1981 and 2010.

Month	Average Temperature (°C)
January	-3.9
February	-2.7
March	0.8
April	4.8
May	9.5
June	12.9
July	14.8
August	14.5
September	11.3
October	6.6
November	1.2
December	-2.8

As the table shows, Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual average temperature is 5.8°C; its range is -3.9°C in January through 14.8°C in July. Whereas July is the warmest month, January is the coldest. With an 18.7°C temperature difference between the warmest and the coldest month, seasonal variation is clearly evident.

Furthermore dependent on the elevation is the average temperature of Sankt Anton am Arlberg. Because of the lower air pressure and density as the elevation rises, the temperature falls. Data from 1981 to 2010 shows the average annual temperature at different heights in Sankt Anton am Arlberg below.

Elevation (meters)	Average Annual Temperature (°C)
1304	5.8
2000	1.5
2500	-1.5
3000	-4.5

As the table shows, the average annual temperature drops about 0.6°C for every 100 meters of elevation increase. This suggests that, at Sankt Anton am Arlberg, the highest peak in Valluga (2,811 meters), the temperature at the summit is almost 10°C lower than that at the village level.

The average temperature from day to day in Sankt Anton am Arlberg can also be much influenced by the weather conditions. For example, the temperature might vary from -10°C to 20°C depending on clouds, wind, and precipitation presence or absence.

Precipitation Patterns

The average monthly precipitation in Sankt Anton am Arlberg is shown in the table below from 1981 to 2010.

Month	Average Precipitation (mm)
January	79
February	74
March	82
April	83
May	107
June	141
July	155
August	144
September	99
October	75
November	88
December	91

As the table shows, Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual average precipitation is 1118 mm; its range in February to July is 74 mm. Whereas February is the driest month, July is the wettest. With an 81 mm precipitation difference between the wettest and driest month, the seasonal variation is rather moderate.

The kind of precipitation determines also the average precipitation in Sankt Anton am Arlberg. About seventy percent of Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual precipitation comes from snow, which makes sense. From November to April—when the temperature falls below freezing—the likelihood of snowfall is highest. The following table shows Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s average monthly snowfall based on 1981 to 2010 statistics.

Month	Average Snowfall (cm)
January	63
February	58
March	61
April	47
May	12
June	0
July	0
August	0
September	1
October	10
November	40
December	59

As the table shows, Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual average snowfall is 351 cm; June, July, and August have 0 cm; January’s average is 63 cm. Whereas June, July, and August are the snow-free months, January is the snowiest month. The 63 cm difference in snowfall between the snowiest and snow-free months clearly shows the seasonal fluctuation.

In Sankt Anton am Arlberg, about thirty percent of the yearly precipitation consists of rain, sleet, and hail. From May to October, when the temperature rises above freezing point, there is most chance of rain. Though rare and erratic, hailstorms especially can cause hail and sleet at any time of year. Table below shows the average monthly rainfall in Sankt Anton am Arlberg based on statistics between 1981 and 2010.

Month	Average Rainfall (mm)
January	16
February	16
March	21
April	36
May	95
June	141
July	155
August	144
September	98
October	65
November	48
December	32

As the table shows, Sankt Anton am Arlberg has an annual average rainfall of 767 mm with a range of 16 mm in January and February to 155 mm in July. Whereas January and February are the driest months, July is the wettest. With a rainfall difference of 139 mm between the wettest and driest months, there is clearly significant seasonal variation.

Snowfall in Sankt Anton

Snowfall is a major factor affecting the tourism business in Sankt Anton am Arlberg since it determines the quality and degree of the skiing conditions. Apart from providing the soil and vegetation with a natural insulator, snowfall provides water for the glaciers, rivers, and lakes around. Local and worldwide climate patterns as well as temperature, humidity, wind, and altitude define snowfall.

The income of the ski resort and the volume of guests reflect the importance of snowfall in the travel sector of Sankt Anton am Arlberg. Based on data from the Sankt Anton am Arlberg Tourism Association, the ski resort brings about 1.5 million visitors a year and makes almost 300 million euros annually. Depending on the snow conditions, the ski season lasts usually from early December until late April. The ski resort fits skiers of all ability and inclination with 88 lifts, 200 kilometers of off-piste terrain, and 305 kilometers of slopes.

The snowfall statistics in Sankt Anton am Arlberg can be calculated using several indicators including the snow depth, snow density, snow quality, and snow dependability. Dependent on the rate of snowmelt and snowfall amount, the snow depth—that is, the height of the snow layer on the ground—is determined. Mass of the snow per unit volume is defined by the temperature, humidity, and snow compaction, which define the snow density. The texture and consistency of the snow define the type of snow crystals, size of snowflakes, and degree of metamorphism, so determining the quality of the snow. Dependent on the length and stability of the snowfall as well as the frequency and intensity, the snow dependability is the possibility of having an appropriate and suitable snow cover for skiing.

Data from 1981 to 2010 shows the average monthly snow depth, snow density, snow quality, and snow reliability in Sankt Anton am Arlberg.

Month	Average Snow Depth (cm)	Average Snow Density (kg/m3)	Average Snow Quality	Average Snow Reliability (%)
January	97	250	Powder	100
February	105	300	Packed Powder	100
March	95	350	Packed Powder	100
April	65	400	Wet Snow	90
May	15	450	Wet Snow	10
June	0	0	No Snow	0
July	0	0	No Snow	0
August	0	0	No Snow	0
September	0	0	No Snow	0
October	5	150	Powder	10
November	35	200	Powder	50
December	85	250	Powder	100

As the table shows, Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual average snow depth is 42 cm; June, July, and August have 0 cm; February has 105 cm. Usually found in February, the deepest snow is; usually found in June, July, and August, the shallowest snow. The 105 cm difference in snow depth between the deepest and shallowest snow indicates the considerable seasonal variation.

Sankt Anton am Arlberg’s annual average snow density is 175 kg/m3; June, July, and August have ranges of 0 kg/m3 while May’s is 450 kg/m3. Usually found in May, the densest snow is; usually reported in June, July, and August is the lightest snow. With a density difference of 450 kg/m3 between the densest and lightest snow, seasonal variation is clearly shown.

Sankt Anton am Arlberg has erratic snow quality; powder in January, October, November, and December; none in June, July, or August. The annual average packs powder. When the snow is dry, fluffy, and easy to ski on—January, October, November, and December—the most ideal snow quality usually results. Usually wet, heavy, and sticky in May, the snow is the worst quality seen at that time.

In Sankt Anton am Arlberg, the annual average snow dependability is 60%; June, July, and August have 0% while January, February, March, and December have 100%. January, February, March, and December—where the snow cover is assured and appropriate for skiing—usually show the most constant snowfall. Usually having no snow at all, June, July, and August are the months with the least consistent snowfall.