Slovenia Weather, climate and geography

Weather and climate

Best time to visit

Slovenia has a continental climate with warm summers and cold winters (snowfalls in the Alps).

There is a Mediterranean climate on the coast, with the average temperature at 0°C (32ºF) in January and 20°C (79ºF) in July. Summer here is typically warm, with consistent sunshine; whereas the winters are cool and fresh. In the northwest mountainous region of Slovenia, an alpine climate dominates, bringing cold winters and snowfall, with daytime temperatures hovering around 0.5°C (32.9°).

Summer in this region, however, is pleasant, with moderately warm summers and light seasonal storms. This region can often feel busy with tourism, especially during the spring and August, when vacationing Italians arrive en masse.

The remaining regions broadly experience a continental climate, with consistent sunshiny summers and crisp winters. January is Slovenia’s coldest month.

Required clothing

Medium-weight clothing and heavy overcoats in winter; lightweight clothing and raincoats for the summer, particularly for the higher Alpine regions in the north.

Geography

Mountains, rivers and major north-south and east-west transit routes dominate this compact and strategically important country. Slovenia borders Italy to the west, Austria to the north, Hungary to the northeast and Croatia to the southeast and has a 47km (29-mile) Adriatic Sea coastline in the southwest, where Koper serves as the main port.