The climate of the Dolomites: when to go to the Dolomites

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The Dolomites are located in the northeastern part of Italy and its territory is divided almost equally between Trentino, Veneto and Alto Adige. The Dolomites are famous for skiing in winter and mountaineering, trekking, cycling, and other activities in the open in summer, spring and autumn. The climate of the Dolomites is the classic alpine climate but due to the conformation of the mountains is very complex and can vary considerably as well as in function of altitude also as in function of exposure to flows coming from the north and from the Mediterranean.

In the bottom of the valleys usually the weather is not too cold in winter. The exposure of much of chain to the south favors the mild climate and protects most of the territory from cold winds from northern Europe. Temperatures decrease with increasing altitude, but there are also rather obvious differences also depending on the geographical location, for example in the Pusteria Valley winter temperatures are much colder than other areas, and the average minimum temperatures of January in Dobbiaco, located about 1,200 meters high, are lower than those recorded in the same month in Passo Rolle, located over 2,000 meters high. The summer months, those ranging from mid-June to mid-September, have warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine, perfect weather for hiking and climbing. During the summer the average maximum temperatures can reach 20 ° C at altitudes above 1,500 meters, while in the valley floor you can get to 25 ° C.

The Dolomites receive less rain annually than do most of the Alps. In most of the Dolomites the rains fall mainly in summer and autumn. Winter is the driest season of the year instead. In general the northern Dolomites receive less rain than the southern Dolomites. Although there are some exceptions, for example, among the wettest areas of the Dolomites we can mention the high Isarco valley and Val Pusteria. Generally in the Dolomite areas fall an average between 800 mm and 1100 mm of precipitation per year.

In winter, the snow usually begins to accumulate in November, and snow constantly maintain the snowpack until March, and sometimes until April. The snow falls throughout the winter, but the winter being the driest season of the year the snow is never very abundant. Despite this in the valley areas in the mountains generally fall around the meter and a half – two meters of snow per year. At higher altitudes above 1,500 meters snow falls throughout the year.

WHEN TO GO TO THE DOLOMITES

The Dolomites have one of the best climates in the Alps, perfect for outdoor activities all year round. In summer the Dolomites provide a refreshing climate as opposed to the oppressive heat of the nearby Po Valley. Summer, however, is also the wettest time of year, the rains usually resulting into strong intensity afternoon thunderstorms that lasts less than one hour. In autumn, the temperature drops, but the weather conditions remain stable and pleasant even if the rains persist. In winter the snow is always present and this is the paradise for lovers of skiing, at this time the temperatures are usually below freezing, but the sun is shining 15 days out of 30 in the Dolomites more than anything else in the Alps. In spring the climate becomes warmer and the days are gradually getting long the rains begin to make their appearance, however, this has the positive aspect of a deep green color of the Dolomite valleys and purify the air making visible spectacular views.

TABLES OF CLIMATE OF THE DOLOMITES

DOBBIACO (1226 meters)
Month	Average Low Temp. (°C)	Average High Temp. (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	-8,5	0,1	22,2	9
February	-7,3	2,8	28,2	8
March	-3,4	6,6	33,9	7
April	-0,2	10,3	43,8	8
May	4,2	15,4	78,6	7
June	7,4	18,9	103,9	6
July	9,5	21,7	120,5	3
August	9,2	21,2	97,9	5
September	6,0	17,4	75,8	7
October	1,9	11,6	72,1	5
November	-3,5	4,8	44,4	9
December	-7,3	0,4	29,6	6
YEAR	0,7	10,9	751,5	95

PASSO ROLLE (2006 meters)
Month	Average Low Temp. (°C)	Average High Temp. (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	-7,2	-1,3	39	6
February	-7,8	-0,9	42	5
March	-5,9	1,0	44	8
April	-3,2	3,4	63	10
May	1,4	8,5	101	14
June	4,7	12,4	130	15
July	7,5	15,4	138	13
August	7,6	15,2	116	12
September	4,6	11,6	117	9
October	1,2	7,4	131	9
November	-3,7	2,3	60	7
December	-5,8	0,1	42	6
YEAR	-0,6	6,3	1026	114

TRENTO (243 meters)
Month	Average Low Temp. (°C)	Average High Temp. (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	-1,8	5,1	58	5
February	0,0	7,9	45	5
March	3,6	12,8	74	8
April	7,1	17,3	68	7
May	10,7	21,2	106	11
June	14,4	25,5	96	10
July	16,6	28,2	76	8
August	16,1	27,0	94	9
September	13,1	23,0	79	6
October	7,8	16,5	83	6
November	3,0	9,9	107	8
December	-0,9	5,8	59	5
YEAR	7,5	16,7	945	88

BOLZANO (241 meters)
Month	Average Low Temp. (°C)	Average High Temp. (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	-4,5	6,3	23	4
February	-2,1	9,5	23	3
March	2,1	15,0	37	5
April	5,4	18,5	50	7
May	9,8	23,2	75	9
June	13,2	26,5	84	9
July	15,5	29,0	92	9
August	15,1	28,5	86	8
September	11,6	24,3	71	7
October	6,2	17,9	84	7
November	-0,1	11,0	50	5
December	-3,7	6,6	34	4
YEAR	5,7	18,0	711	77

BELLUNO (404 meters)
Month	Average Low Temp. (°C)	Average High Temp. (°C)	Precip. (mm)	Precip. days
January	-4,1	3,3	45	5
February	-2,4	6,2	52	5
March	1,8	11,1	77	7
April	5,9	15,5	97	11
May	9,9	19,9	130	13
June	13,4	24,0	120	13
July	15,3	26,5	115	11
August	14,9	26,0	102	10
September	12,2	22,4	98	8
October	7,3	16,3	116	9
November	2,1	9,6	105	8
December	-2,2	4,5	71	6
YEAR	6,2	15,4	1128	106

This post is also available in: Italiano