Berchtesgaden, in the Bavarian Alps, features a temperate alpine climate with mild, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The town experiences significant seasonal contrasts, high annual precipitation, and frequent mountain breezes. With long daylight hours in summer and a snowy wonderland in winter, Berchtesgaden is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and nature lovers.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colors of the months:
The color shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the color is shows the travel season: full color means high season, soft color means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The gray info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Berchtesgaden’s climate is shaped by its alpine setting and elevation, resulting in four distinct seasons and considerable weather variability. Summers (June–August) are mild to warm, with average highs of 20–25°C and lows around 10–15°C. July and August are the warmest and wettest months, each receiving up to 170–180 mm of rain over 13–17 days. Sunshine is abundant, with 7–10 hours per day and daylight stretching to 16 hours at the solstice. Humidity is moderate, and gentle mountain breezes keep the air fresh. The area’s lush greenery and nearby lakes are at their most vibrant, making this period ideal for hiking, biking, and lake activities.
Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 2–6°C and lows of -4 to 0°C. Snowfall is frequent, often accumulating over 100 cm in the valley and much more at higher altitudes, creating excellent conditions for winter sports. Days are short, with only 2–3 hours of sunshine and about 8–9 hours of daylight. Rain and snow are evenly distributed, but February is typically the driest month. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to cool temperatures (8–18°C), frequent showers, and vibrant alpine foliage or blooming wildflowers. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–15 km/h), but can be brisk during storms. Berchtesgaden receives about 1,200–1,500 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys 1,700–2,000 hours of sunshine per year, supporting its rich biodiversity and spectacular landscapes.
| Average climate data for Berchtesgaden, Germany | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°F) | 33 | 34 | 44 | 54 | 60 | 67 | 70 | 71 | 62 | 54 | 46 | 36 | 71 |
| Average minimum temperature (°F) | 21 | 20 | 28 | 35 | 41 | 47 | 50 | 50 | 44 | 38 | 31 | 25 | 20 |
| Average precipitation (inch) | 3 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 | 34 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 10 | 8 | 14 | 15 | 23 | 22 | 22 | 19 | 16 | 13 | 10 | 12 | 183 |
| Average snowfall (inch) | 16 | 10 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 8 | 44 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 12 | 12 | 8 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 10 | 50 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 90 | 91 | 87 | 79 | 82 | 83 | 82 | 80 | 86 | 85 | 84 | 84 | 84 |
| Average wind speed (mph) | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 4 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 53 | 58 | 53 | 40 | 50 | 42 | 39 | 34 | 41 | 41 | 41 | 50 | 45 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Berchtesgaden is from late May to September, when temperatures are warmest (18–25°C), days are longest, and the region is vibrant with outdoor activities, hiking, and festivals. These months offer ideal conditions for exploring the national park, lakes, and mountain trails, with lush scenery and lively local events.
The least favorable time to visit is from November to March, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and frequent snow or rain can limit hiking and sightseeing. While winter is perfect for snow sports and festive events, the cold, damp, and sometimes cloudy conditions may not appeal to all travelers.
Berchtesgaden has a temperate alpine climate with mild, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. Rain and snow fall year-round, with peaks in summer and winter. The area is known for its lush landscapes and dramatic mountain scenery.
The best time to visit is from late May to September, when the weather is warm, days are long, and the region is lively with outdoor activities and festivals. Early autumn is also pleasant for hiking and colorful foliage.
Yes, snow is common from December to March, with the heaviest snowfall in January and February. Snow cover can exceed 100 cm in the valley and is much deeper in the mountains, making it ideal for winter sports.
Berchtesgaden receives about 1,200–1,500 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls throughout the year, with the wettest months in July and August. Showers are frequent but often brief, especially in summer.
Summer highs typically reach 20–25°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 30°C are rare, and evenings are usually cool and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cold, wet, or snowy conditions.
Winds are generally light to moderate (10–15 km/h), but can be brisk during storms. Mountain weather can change rapidly, so be prepared for sudden changes in wind and temperature.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (70.7 °F). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (33.3 °F). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 52.5 °F.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (50 °F). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (20.3 °F). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 35.8 °F.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (4.2 inch). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is November (1.3 inch). Over the whole year there are 34.1 inch of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (22.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (8.4 days). Over the whole year there are 183.1 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (15.5 inch). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 inch). Over the whole year there are 44.5 inch of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (12.3 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 50 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (90.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (79.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 84.4 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is March (5.1 mph). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (3.7 mph). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 4.4 mph.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (57.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (34 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 45.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is July (Average sunshine: 9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 3.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 5). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.
