Dolomites Weather & Climate

Enjoy the Best Mountain Weather in the Alps!

The Dolomite Mountains offer some of the best weather in the Alps – perfect for year-round active outdoor adventures. As with most mountain environments, the air here is dry – which makes for light, powdery snowfall in winter, and limits humid, sultry weather in summertime.

As a mountain range, the Dolomites receive less precipitation on an annual basis than the majority of the Alps do, and its geographical position makes for milder mountain temperatures. In fact, the Dolomites take advantage of the protection offered by the Alps themselves, blocking very cold air coming from northern Europe and Russia. Contributing to this, their position facing the Adriatic Sea to the east and the Po River Valley / Po-Venetian Plain to the south enables warm winds to blow up towards the slopes, further moderating the temperature. The dry conditions also help make the extreme cold from December through February, and the summer temperatures that climb towards the mid-20 degrees Celsius (80°Fs), not only tolerable but pleasant.

The northern part of the Dolomites, including in the South Tyrol (Sudtirol / Alto Adige), receive the least precipitation, as the more southerly Dolomite groups break up big storms that come from the south, leaving the north with more desirable conditions. The Brenta Dolomites area to the southwest tends to be struck with cold spells created, by storms that have pushed up from the south. Meanwhile, more fog is created in the eastern parts of the Dolomites, when the cold air mixes with the warmer air from nearby Venice.

Overall, Dolomites weather is characterized by short, fresh summers; cold, dry winters with appreciable snowfall; lovely intermediate seasons; and precipitation that decreases as you travel further north, and further from the sea.

The summer months (mid-July through September) have warm temperatures and plenty of sun – perfect for hiking, climbing, via ferrata, and cycling trips. While the average maximum temperature may reach some 25 degrees Celsius (80°F) on the valley floors, the gentle wind of the Dolomites provides refreshing moments in the shade of rich green woods, and cooler temperatures at higher elevations.

Winter snow usually begins to accumulate in December, lasting through March, and sometimes into April. While winter temperatures do fall below freezing, the sun shines an unparalleled eight days out of ten in the Dolomites – more than any other range in the Alps! The sunny winter paradise of the Dolomite Mountains combined with ample snowfall makes skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing adventures here unbeatable.

Spring returns with warmer weather and longer days, but also with rain. But this too is welcomed, as it clears the air for spectacular vistas and brings beautiful green valleys and pastures overflowing with wildflowers.