Košice, in eastern Slovakia, has a humid continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold and often snowy, while summers are warm and sunny with moderate humidity. The city experiences moderate rainfall year-round, significant seasonal temperature swings, and plenty of sunshine in summer, making it a dynamic destination for all types of travellers.
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.
Košice’s climate is shaped by its inland location and moderate elevation, resulting in pronounced seasonal contrasts. Winters (December–February) are cold, with average highs of 1–3°C and lows around -4 to -7°C. Snow is common, especially in January and February, but rarely heavy or persistent. Winter days are short, with 1–3 hours of sunshine and around 8–9 hours of daylight. Winds and humidity can intensify the cold, and occasional cold snaps can bring temperatures below -15°C.
Spring (March–May) brings rapidly warming temperatures, from 9°C in March to 21°C in May, and blooming gardens. Rainfall increases, especially in May, and sunshine hours rise to 6–9 per day. Summers (June–August) are warm and sunny, with average highs of 24–26°C and lows of 13–15°C. July and August are the hottest and sunniest months, with up to 9 hours of sunshine daily, but also the wettest, with frequent thunderstorms. Evenings are comfortable, though occasional heatwaves can push temperatures above 30°C. Autumn (September–November) is mild to cool, with highs dropping from 21°C in September to 7°C in November, colourful foliage, and decreasing rainfall. Annual precipitation averages 600–830 mm, and Košice enjoys about 1,900–2,000 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk in winter and spring.
| Average climate data for Košice, Slovakia | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -1 | 2 | 8 | 15 | 20 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 20 | 15 | 6 | 1 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -5 | -1 | 4 | 8 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 4 | 0 | -5 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 30 | 29 | 34 | 46 | 74 | 91 | 86 | 75 | 55 | 44 | 49 | 39 | 654 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 13 | 11 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 13 | 14 | 145 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 8 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 4 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
The best time to visit Košice is from May to September, when temperatures are warm (20–26°C), days are long and sunny, and the city is vibrant with festivals and outdoor events. Spring and early autumn are also pleasant for sightseeing, with mild weather, blooming gardens, or colourful foliage and fewer tourists.
The least favourable time to visit Košice is from November to March, when days are short, temperatures are cold (1–3°C), and rain, snow, and wind are frequent. While the city is festive during the holidays, outdoor activities are limited and some attractions may have reduced hours.
Košice’s annual average temperature is about 10–11°C. January is the coldest month (highs 1°C, lows -7°C), while July and August are the warmest (highs 26°C, lows 14°C).
Košice receives about 600–830 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls year-round, with May–July being wettest. Snow is common in winter but rarely heavy or long-lasting.
Košice enjoys up to 9 hours of sunshine per day in July and August. Winter months are much darker, with only 1–3 hours of sunshine daily and frequent overcast skies.
Late spring through early autumn (May–September) is best for outdoor activities, with mild to warm temperatures, long days, and more sunshine. Summer is busiest and most comfortable for walking, cycling, and festivals.
Košice itself is not a winter sports destination, but nearby mountains offer skiing and snowboarding from December to March, when snow cover is reliable.
Swimming outdoors is only comfortable in July and August, when air temperatures reach 26°C. Even then, the water in lakes and rivers is cool, so beach activities are limited.
Pack layers for spring and autumn, light clothing and sun protection for summer, and insulated, waterproof clothing for winter. An umbrella and windproof jacket are useful year-round.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (24 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-1 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (13.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 3.6 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (90.8 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is February (29 mm). Over the whole year there are 653.7 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is December (14.1 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is September (10 days). Over the whole year there are 145.1 days of rain on average.
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 May (Average sunshine: 9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 1.9 h). Over the whole year there are 6.1 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 7). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.7.
