Zell am See, nestled in the Austrian Alps, features a temperate continental climate with cold, snowy winters and pleasantly warm, wet summers. The town experiences dramatic seasonal changes, abundant precipitation, and significant day-night temperature swings. With its picturesque lake and mountain scenery, Zell am See is a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts and holidaymakers.
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 colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour 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 grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Zell am See’s climate is shaped by its alpine location at around 700 metres elevation, resulting in four distinct seasons. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average daytime highs ranging from –2°C to 2°C and nighttime lows dropping to –8°C or lower. Snowfall is frequent, and the landscape is transformed into a winter wonderland, ideal for skiing and snow sports. January and February are the coldest months, with 15–17 snowy days and about 2–4 hours of sunshine daily.
Spring (March–May) brings a gradual warming, with highs rising from 5°C in March to 13°C in May. Nights remain chilly, and rain becomes more common as snow melts. Summers (June–August) are pleasantly warm but also the wettest period, with daytime highs of 17–24°C and nights around 8–11°C. July is the warmest and wettest month, with up to 165–218 mm of rain and 18–22 rainy days. Sunshine peaks at 7 hours per day in July and August, while humidity averages 75–80%. Autumn (September–November) is mild to cool, with highs dropping from 15°C in September to 3–6°C in November and rainfall gradually decreasing. Winds are generally light to moderate year-round, but mountain breezes can feel brisk, especially in spring and autumn. Daylight ranges from about 8–9 hours in winter to 15–16 hours in midsummer.
Zell am See’s climate supports lush vegetation in the warmer months and reliable snow cover in winter, making it a popular destination for both summer and winter activities. Visitors should be prepared for changeable weather, especially in the mountains, and pack accordingly for both sun and rain.
| Average climate data for Zell am See, Austria | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -1 | 2 | 8 | 11 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 9 | 5 | -0 | 18 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -10 | -10 | -6 | -2 | 2 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 4 | 0 | -3 | -8 | -10 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 42 | 32 | 41 | 38 | 76 | 76 | 82 | 86 | 40 | 44 | 36 | 38 | 631 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 21 | 20 | 22 | 20 | 16 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 170 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 254 | 148 | 170 | 59 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 24 | 86 | 158 | 918 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 15 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 12 | 70 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 91 | 92 | 90 | 86 | 87 | 84 | 84 | 82 | 85 | 86 | 85 | 84 | 86 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 51 | 56 | 54 | 45 | 53 | 47 | 44 | 39 | 47 | 42 | 41 | 45 | 47 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 |
The best time to visit Zell am See depends on your interests: December to March is ideal for winter sports, with reliable snow and lively ski resorts. For hiking, cycling, and lake activities, June to September offers warm temperatures, long days, and beautiful alpine scenery, though rain showers are common.
The least favourable time to visit is from November to early December and late March to April, when temperatures are cool, rain is frequent, and outdoor activities may be limited by melting snow or muddy conditions. Some attractions may also have reduced hours between seasons.
Zell am See has a temperate continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, wet summers. Winters are ideal for skiing, while summers are great for hiking and lake activities. Weather can be changeable, especially in the mountains.
The best time for skiing is from December to March, when snow cover is reliable and the ski resorts are in full swing. January and February offer the coldest and snowiest conditions.
Summer highs in Zell am See range from 17°C in June to 24°C in July, with nights around 8–11°C. Rain is common, especially in July and August, but there are also many sunny days.
Zell am See receives significant precipitation year-round, with heavy snowfall in winter and frequent rain in summer. July is the wettest month, with up to 218 mm of rain, while January is drier but snowy.
Sunshine hours vary by season: July and August are sunniest with up to 7 hours per day, while December and January are darkest with just 2–4 hours daily. Daylight lasts up to 16 hours in midsummer.
In winter, pack thermal layers, waterproof jackets, and snow boots. For summer, bring light clothing, sun protection, and a raincoat. Weather can change quickly, so always pack for both sun and rain.
Yes, Zell am See is beautiful year-round, but spring and late autumn can be cool and rainy, with some attractions operating reduced hours. Summer and winter offer the best conditions for outdoor activities.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (18.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-1.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 8.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (7.5 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-9.7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is August (86.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (32.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 630.6 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (21.9 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (6.7 days). Over the whole year there are 169.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is January (254 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 917.7 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (15 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 70.3 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (91.6 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (82.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 86.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is February (7.9 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (5.3 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 6.9 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (56 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (39.2 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 47 %.
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 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is August (Average sunshine: 9.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 6.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 4). The month with the lowest average UV index is February (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.5.
