Zakopane, nestled at the foot of the Tatra Mountains, has a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and cool, wet summers. Average highs range from -3°C in January to 18°C in July. Rain and snow are common, and the weather can change rapidly, making Zakopane a year-round destination for outdoor enthusiasts.
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.
Zakopane’s climate is shaped by its mountain setting and elevation, resulting in significant seasonal contrasts. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs around -3°C to 1°C and lows dropping to -8°C or lower. Snow is abundant, especially in higher altitudes, making Zakopane one of Poland’s premier ski resorts. Despite the cold, winter days are often sunnier than in other parts of Poland, with around 2–3 hours of sunshine daily and 9 hours of daylight. Sudden warm foehn winds, known locally as halny, can occasionally raise temperatures above 10°C even in winter.
Summers (June–August) are cool and wet, with average highs of 15–18°C and lows of 6–8°C. July is the warmest month but rarely gets hot, and rain is frequent – June is typically the wettest month with up to 157 mm of rain over 19 days. Sunshine peaks at 6–7 hours per day in July, and daylight stretches to 15–16 hours. Spring and autumn are transitional, with mild days (up to 13°C in May and September), chilly nights, and variable weather. Rain falls year-round, but October is usually the driest month. Humidity is high, especially in summer, and winds are moderate, with occasional brisk gusts in winter and spring. Zakopane’s mountain weather can change rapidly, so visitors should always be prepared for sudden shifts from sun to rain or snow.
| Average climate data for Zakopane, Poland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -2 | -0 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 16 | 11 | 6 | -0 | 21 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | -5 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 32 | 39 | 37 | 51 | 122 | 92 | 98 | 69 | 49 | 47 | 38 | 52 | 726 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 3 | 4 | 7 | 14 | 22 | 24 | 22 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 151 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 224 | 243 | 194 | 84 | 93 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 56 | 105 | 352 | 1,353 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 13 | 14 | 12 | 5 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 13 | 68 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 93 | 91 | 84 | 78 | 82 | 80 | 79 | 75 | 80 | 82 | 85 | 90 | 83 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 5 | 8 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 4 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 63 | 67 | 55 | 45 | 49 | 46 | 39 | 33 | 40 | 46 | 50 | 61 | 49 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
The best time to visit Zakopane depends on your interests. For skiing and snow sports, December to March offers abundant snow and sunny winter days. For hiking and mountain activities, June to September is ideal, with cool temperatures, long daylight hours, and lush scenery – just be prepared for frequent rain and pack waterproof gear.
The least favourable time to visit is late autumn (November), when temperatures drop, rain is frequent, and snow cover is inconsistent for winter sports. Early spring (March) can also be challenging, with lingering snow, chilly weather, and muddy trails, making outdoor activities less enjoyable.
Zakopane has cold, snowy winters (highs -3°C to 1°C), cool, wet summers (highs 15–18°C), and mild but variable spring and autumn seasons. Rain and snow are common, and weather can change quickly.
Yes, Zakopane is known for its abundant snowfall, especially from December to March. Snow is common even in town, and higher altitudes see deep snow, making it a popular ski destination.
June is typically the wettest month, with up to 157 mm of rain and 19 rainy days. Rain is common in summer, so waterproof clothing is recommended for outdoor activities.
Zakopane enjoys 2–3 hours of sunshine per day in winter and up to 6–7 hours in summer. Days are longest in June and July, with up to 16 hours of daylight.
Pack warm, waterproof layers for winter, and waterproof jackets and shoes for summer. Even in summer, nights are cool. Always bring layers, as mountain weather can change quickly.
Yes, summer and early autumn are great for hiking, with cool temperatures and long days. Trails can be muddy after rain, so sturdy, waterproof shoes are recommended.
Zakopane is busiest in winter (for skiing) and summer (for hiking). Spring and late autumn are quieter, but some attractions and trails may be less accessible due to weather.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (21.4 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-1.5 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.1 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is August (10.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-7.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 1.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (121.6 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (31.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 725.9 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (23.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (3.3 days). Over the whole year there are 151.2 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (352 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,352.8 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (14.1 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are June, July and August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 68.2 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is January (92.5 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (75.1 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 83.2 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (9.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6.6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (66.6 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (33.4 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 49.5 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 16 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: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 6.5 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 February and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
