Climate Slovakia
Each destination brings its share of surprises and in the unpredictable area, there is the weather. To better orient yourself and know when to leave, look at past records and study the characteristics of the country, this will give you valuable clues. As a country embedded in the heart of Europe, Slovakia enjoys a humid continental climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, but rainy summers. Slovakia is characterised by wide temperature variations, accentuated by the significant differences in altitude between the plains in the west and east and the mountains in the centre and north. The seasons are well marked, with a temperature range between cold and harsh winters (-25 °C) and temperate and humid summers (35 °C) of around 60 °C. Temperature differences between day and night can also be significant, especially during the intermediate seasons of spring and autumn.
The four seasons
Spring begins on March 21. It is characterized by rather cool weather with an average daily temperature of 9°C in the first weeks, about 14°C in May and 17°C in June. The weather and climate in spring is very unstable and varies in intensity from year to year. In colder years, the beginning of spring in the Slovak mountains can offer a last-minute opportunity to enjoy the few remaining days of the winter sports season.
Summer begins on 22 June, usually characterised by warm weather, with temperatures above 30 °C on a daily basis. July remains the hottest month with temperatures of up to around 37-40 °C, especially in southern Slovak regions such as Komárno. This time of year is also conducive to thunderstorms and thundershowers, which sometimes bring a welcome breath of fresh air into the heavy atmosphere. Temperatures in the north or in mountainous areas generally remain around 25 °C, but vary according to altitude.
Autumn begins on September 23rd and is mainly characterized by rainy weather, a humid and windy atmosphere. The first weeks are often hot and sunny, the average temperature in September is around 14 °C and the switchover takes place in November with an average of 3 °C. In some years, early autumn is synonymous with Indian summer with lots of sunshine and dry air around September and October. This is the perfect time for hiking and other outdoor activities.
December 21st is the opening day of the three-month winter cycle. This period can be very harsh (especially in mountain areas) and December and January are the coldest months of the year. Average temperatures generally range between -5°C and -10°C, sometimes lower. You have to be prepared for all circumstances, rain and snow often invite themselves to the party. In lower altitude areas snow does not stay all winter and turns into ice and frost, so be careful of falls, the ground is very slippery. Mountainous regions are largely covered with snow, which brings shades of weather when cold air and fog enter and remain in the valleys while the sun shines and raises the temperatures in the mountains. If you choose to come in the winter, it will certainly be for skiing or other winter sports. Slovakia offers many such activities in the mountainous regions, which often remain sunny all day long, so the weather in the valleys will not matter as long as the peaks are under the sun.
Warm regions: Western and Eastern Plains
In the plains of Western Slovakia, the extreme eastern part of Eastern Slovakia, and in the Bratislava and Košice regions, the climate is moderately continental. These regions are the southernmost, enjoying mild winters with an average January temperature of - 1 to - 3 °C. July and August are warm and can even be hot. In summer, there are more than fifty days with a minimum temperature of 25°C.
Temperate regions: the central and eastern hills
Most places in central and eastern Slovakia and around Poprad are a few hundred metres above sea level, which is high enough to make the climate a little colder than in the plains. In these areas snow settles in and therefore remains more easily during the winter, while the summer is generally cool and the heat, when present, is more bearable. There is also a little more rainfall, between 600 and 1,200 mm a year, which is necessary for nature to preserve its magnificent green colour.
Cold Regions: Northern Mountains
The northern part of Slovakia has a colder climate, especially in the High Tatras and in the villages of the Orava Valley. Here the climate is cold and snowy in winter, stormy in summer. The wind can be felt with a certain frequency. At an altitude of 2,000 m, the average temperature is about -8 °C in January and 6/7 °C in July. Precipitation is between 800 and 2000 mm annually. Most of these areas are forests and grasslands.
In which season to go ?
For winter sports, the best period is from January to March, the season often starts earlier, but the best snow usually sets in from January-February. As for the summer season, the best time to visit Slovakia is from mid-May to mid-September. During the two summer months, July and August, it is possible to have very hot and humid days, especially in the eastern or western plains around Bratislava, while in the rest of the country the nights remain cool even in the hottest periods. June and September are probably the most favourable months for hiking. Last but not least, it is important to know that the sun sets early, 8.55 pm at the latest in summer and 3.50 pm at the earliest in winter. The daily rhythms adapt to this and one lives in Slovakia as if there was a time difference of more than an hour.
