Salzburg Weather by Month: What to Expect and What to Pack
Updated: Aug 13
I get asked "what's the weather actually like" more than almost anything else, so here's the real answer: official climate-normal data (1991-2020 averages) for every month, plus what it actually means for what you pack.
In addition to that, I include the actual hottest and coldest temperature of 2026 to get real, recent data (as of August 2026)
January
☀️ High 3.4°C / 38°F
🥶 Low −3.6°C / 26°F
🌧️ Rain 11 of 31 days
❄️ Snow 15 of 31 days
2026 actual: hottest 11.8°C / 53°F (Jan 19) · coldest −8.3°C / 17°F (Jan 1)
Real Alpine winter — snow dusting the rooftops, your breath fogging in the cold air, hot-punch stands tucked into corners of the Old Town. Days stay right around freezing, nights drop well below it, and this is the snowiest month of the year, so the cobblestones get slick — grippy waterproof boots matter more than a stylish coat. Mozart Week fills the second half of the month with concerts; outside that, January is one of the quietest, cheapest times to visit, with whole stretches of the Old Town practically to yourself.
What to pack: Warm layers under a proper winter coat, waterproof boots with real grip, gloves and a hat. The cobblestones and wind chill are the real test, not just the thermometer.
February
☀️ High 6.2°C / 43°F
🥶 Low −2.8°C / 27°F
🌧️ Rain 10 of 28 days
❄️ Snow 12 of 28 days
2026 actual: hottest 19.6°C / 67°F (Feb 27)
The dry surprise of the year. Still properly cold and often still snowy, but statistically your best odds of a rain-free visit. Crowds stay thin, prices stay low. If the cold doesn't scare you off, this is a genuinely underrated month to come.
What to pack: Same winter layers as January, plus sunglasses — clear days can be surprisingly bright against the snow.
March
☀️ High 10.2°C / 50°F
🥶 Low 0.7°C / 33°F
🌧️ Rain 11 of 31 days
❄️ Snow 6 of 31 days
2026 actual: hottest 20.4°C / 68°F
Winter loosens its grip, unevenly. Mornings can still feel like January while afternoons hint at spring, so dress in layers you can peel off and put back on the same day. Snow fades out fast and rain picks up instead. The Salzburg Easter Festival sometimes lands here, depending on the year.
What to pack: A warm layer you can shed by afternoon, plus a light rain jacket. This is the month with the biggest morning-to-afternoon swing.
April
☀️ High 15.7°C / 60°F
🥶 Low 4.3°C / 40°F
🌧️ Rain 12 of 30 days
❄️ Snow rare
2026 actual: hottest 24.9°C / 77°F (Apr 5)
Classic unpredictable spring — mild and sunny one day, a cold grey washout the next, sometimes both in the same afternoon. Snow is essentially gone, but pack a rain layer no matter what the forecast says that morning. The Easter Festival's dates shift every year and often fall in this window.
What to pack: A waterproof jacket over layers, and shoes that can handle a sudden downpour without complaint.
May
☀️ High 19.3°C / 67°F
🥶 Low 8.3°C / 47°F
🌧️ Rain 13 of 31 days
2026 actual: hottest 31.2°C / 88°F (May 26)
One of the best all-around months — green, mild, noticeably sunnier than earlier spring, and still ahead of the summer crowds. It rains plenty, so a light jacket earns its keep, but the trade-off — good weather, thinner crowds, lower prices — is hard to beat.
What to pack: A light jacket or cardigan for morning and evening, short sleeves fine by afternoon, and a compact umbrella just in case.
June
☀️ High 23.2°C / 74°F
🥶 Low 12.5°C / 55°F
🌧️ Rain 15 of 30 days
2026 actual: hottest 37.4°C / 99°F — the city's highest June reading on record
Summer arrives properly — warm, green, long daylight hours — but it's also one of the wetter months of the year. Afternoon thunderstorms roll in often, usually after a bright, hot morning. Plan the big outdoor sightseeing early in the day and treat a passing storm as normal, not bad luck.
What to pack: Breathable layers for daytime heat, a packable rain jacket for the afternoon storms, and shoes that dry quickly.
July
☀️ High 24.3°C / 76°F
🥶 Low 13.8°C / 57°F
🌧️ Rain 15 of 31 days
2026 actual: hottest 37.9°C / 100°F (Jul 31) — 2026's hottest day so far
The warmest, sunniest month — and, a little contradictorily, one of the wettest too. Mornings tend to be reliably bright before clouds build later on. This is also when the Salzburg Festival begins, so the city fills up fast — book sights and rooms early if you're visiting during it. Pack sunscreen and a rain jacket, both.
What to pack: Light, breathable clothing, sunglasses and sunscreen, plus a packable rain jacket tucked in your bag for the odd downpour.
August
☀️ High 24.0°C / 75°F
🥶 Low 13.6°C / 56°F
🌧️ Rain 14 of 31 days
July's twin — hot, still full festival energy, still one of the wetter months. This is peak season across the board, so expect the year's biggest crowds and highest prices along with the heat. If your dates are flexible, September gets you nearly the same weather with far more breathing room.
What to pack: Same as July — breathable summer clothes, sun protection, and a light rain layer just in case.
September
☀️ High 19.9°C / 68°F
🥶 Low 10.1°C / 50°F
🌧️ Rain 10 of 30 days
The sweet spot. Warm days, cooling evenings, and a real drop in visitor numbers once the festival wraps up. Rain eases off from summer's totals too. If you're picking one month for a first visit, this is probably it — just bring a light jacket for after dark.
What to pack: Layer up for the day: short sleeves fine by afternoon, a jacket once the sun goes down.
October
☀️ High 14.4°C / 58°F
🥶 Low 5.6°C / 42°F
🌧️ Rain 9 of 31 days
Proper autumn — golden light, cooling fast, with the first frost possible by month's end. This is one of the driest stretches of the year, which makes for genuinely good walking-tour weather — just layer up, since mornings and evenings turn cold even on a pleasant afternoon.
What to pack: A warm jacket, scarf, and closed shoes. Mornings and evenings are properly cold even when afternoons feel mild.
November
☀️ High 8.5°C / 47°F
🥶 Low 0.9°C / 34°F
🌧️ Rain 10 of 30 days
❄️ Snow possible late month
The grey, damp hinge between autumn and winter, and the point where snow starts becoming possible again. The upside: Salzburg's Christmas markets traditionally open in the second half of the month, so arriving right at the start means market atmosphere without December's peak crowds.
What to pack: A proper coat, waterproof boots, and gloves — this is where winter gear starts earning its keep again.
December
☀️ High 4.0°C / 39°F
🥶 Low −2.5°C / 28°F
🌧️ Rain 12 of 31 days
❄️ Snow 10 of 31 days
Cold, and often — though not always — properly white by the back half of the month. Advent markets and Christmas lights make this one of the most atmospheric times to visit, and also one of the busiest and coldest. A real winter coat, waterproof boots, and gloves aren't optional here.
What to pack: Your heaviest coat, thermal layers, waterproof boots, hat and gloves — and don't skip the wool socks.
Last updated August 2026 — figures are official 1991-2020 climate normals for Salzburg. Averages describe typical years, not guarantees — mountain weather changes fast, so always check the actual forecast close to your trip.
Want a guide who plans around whatever the weather actually does? Reach out through danketours.com or find us on Instagram @dankecouple.
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