The climate of Dresden
Located in eastern
Germany,
Dresden experiences a Cfb climate, also known as Marine West Coast, with warm summers, according to the Köppen climate classification. Throughout the year, climatic changes are reflected in the monthly averages of temperature, rainfall, humidity, and other parameters, painting a cohesive picture of Dresden's overall weather patterns.
Temperature highs range from a modest 1.3°C (34.3°F) in
January to a comfortable 23.8°C (74.8°F) in
August, revealing Dresden's temperate nature. Correspondingly, temperature lows vary, plunging to -3°C (26.6°F) in January and peaking at 14.1°C (57.4°F) in August. The change in humidity throughout the year is comparably slight, from a low of 70% in August to a high of 88% in January.
For rainfall, the wettest months come during the summer season, with a peak of 57mm (2.24") in both
July and August. Interestingly, it is not just quality but quantity, with rainfall days at their highest during these months, at 19.3 and 15.6 days respectively. The city also experiences winter snowfall, with January and
December witnessing 113mm (4.45") and 83mm (3.27") of snow, respectively. Hours of daylight exhibit a recognizable pattern, stretching from a low of 8 hours in December and January to a high of 16.5 hours in
June.
Moreover, Dresden proves breezy, with wind speeds moving from 10.2km/h (6.3mph) in August to 16.5km/h (10.3mph) in December. The city sees moderate visibility throughout the year, seldom dipping below 8 km, and cloud cover varies, maximising at 66% in January and minimising at 36% in August.
The best time to visit Dresden
Weather patterns indicate
May through
August as the preferred months for a visit to
Dresden. With temperature highs fluctuating between 17.2°C (63°F) and 23.8°C (74.8°F) and temperature lows from 7.1°C (44.8°F) to 14.1°C (57.4°F), the conditions are ideal for exploration and outdoor activities. Despite the higher chance of rainfall during these months, it is more than compensated by the increased daylight hours and milder cloud cover.
The worst time to visit Dresden
The months of
December and
January might not be ideal for visiting
Dresden due to harsher weather conditions. Low temperatures can go down to -3°C (26.6°F), and high temperatures hover around 1.3°C (34.3°F) and 3.5°C (38.3°F), respectively. Also, these are the months with the highest snowfall and wind speed, which may cause discomfort for tourists.
Spring weather in Dresden
Spring in
Dresden, extending from
March to
May, sees a gradual increase in temperatures, with highs ranging from 7.7°C (45.9°F) to 17.2°C (63°F) and lows increasing from 0.8°C (33.4°F) to 7.1°C (44.8°F). Rainfall is light to moderate, peaking at 44mm (1.73") in May, and the city enjoys an uptick in daylight hours, culminating at 15.6 hours in May.
Summer weather in Dresden
Summer, lasting from
June to
August, boasts of moderate to high temperatures, peaking at 23.8°C (74.8°F) in August with the lowest temperature recorded at 11.1°C (52°F) in June. With rainfall averaging between 48mm (1.89") and 57mm (2.24"), clear skies, and long daylight hours up to 16.5 hours, it creates perfect conditions for outdoor activities.
Autumn weather in Dresden
During autumn, from
September to
November, temperatures show a steady decline from a high of 18.4°C (65.1°F) in September to a low of 2.6°C (36.7°F) in November. Rainfall is relatively low to moderate, from 28mm (1.1") in
October to 36mm (1.42") in September, and daylight hours begin to decrease, reaching 8.9 hours by November.
Winter weather in Dresden
Winter in
Dresden, spanning
December to
February, is characterized by low temperatures dipping to -3°C (26.6°F) and highs not exceeding 2.8°C (37°F) in February. The city experiences moderate to high snowfall during these months, peaking at 113mm (4.45") in
January. Additionally, shorter daylight hours are prevalent, with an average of 8 hours per day. Despite these conditions, the wintry atmosphere creates an undeniable charm making it a unique period to explore Dresden in a different light.
Weather in January
January marks the beginning of the year with brisk temperatures and high relative humidity in
Dresden. This is a time when the city becomes a white wonderland with ample snowfall, 113mm (4.45") in total, and snowy days accounting for 12.3 days on an average.
Weather in January » Weather in February
As winter continues in
Dresden,
February brings very subtle changes in weather conditions, with temperatures climbing marginally compared to
January. Nonetheless, the city experiences a reduction in snowfall to 83mm (3.27") and snowfall days decrease to 9.8 days within the month indicating a slight transition towards spring.
Weather in February »Weather in March
March brings a noticeable swing towards milder days in
Dresden, as the weather warms up gradually bringing the low temperature up to just below freezing at 0.8°C (33.4°F). This translates to less snowfall of only 53mm (2.09"), signaling the end of the harsh winter.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April ushers in the true spirit of spring in
Dresden, with a significant rise in temperatures, pushing the average high to 14.1°C (57.4°F). The city experiences a decrease in humidity and rainfall, experiencing only 22mm (0.87") precipitation which is quite a relief from the previous wet months.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May sees a further rise in temperatures in
Dresden, bringing a warm and pleasant weather. The city, however, records a significant surge in rainfall with 44mm (1.73"), adding a vibrant touch to the greenery. The persistence of humidity adds to the perceived warmth of the month.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June marks the beginning of the summer season in
Dresden with an average high temperature reaching 21.2°C (70.2°F). This time of the year witnesses a slight increase in the rainfall to 48mm (1.89"), accompanied by increased daylight time.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July is the peak of summer in
Dresden, with the highest annual temperatures, both low and high, hitting 13.3°C (55.9°F) and 23.1°C (73.6°F) respectively. Despite the high temperatures, the city experiences its highest rainfall at 57mm (2.24"), a characteristic of the mid-summer climate.
Weather in July » Weather in August
In
August,
Dresden continues to enjoy warm summer days with the highest temperature averaging at 23.8°C (74.8°F). However, it sees a continuation of the high rainfall trend from
July at 57mm (2.24"), maintaining summer's greenery.
Weather in August »Weather in September
September brings the onset of autumn to
Dresden, with temperatures beginning to dip to an average high of 18.4°C (65.1°F). After the summer's peak, rainfall reduces to 36mm (1.42"), signaling the transition into the drier season.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Dresden sees a significant drop in temperature, announcing the arrival of fall in earnest. Days become cooler and the city gears up for the onset of winter. The first snowfall can be expected during this month, though very minor at only 11mm (0.43").
Weather in October » Weather in November
November sees chilling temperatures in
Dresden, with the onset of winter, as the average high plummets to 7.8°C (46°F). The transition is marked by a rise in snowfall to 42mm (1.65"), giving the city an ethereal charm. With shorter daylight hours, November has a stark decrease in sunshine hours.
Weather in November » Weather in December
The year in
Dresden rounds off with
December, a month characterized by cold temperatures and substantial snowfall of 83mm (3.27"). The average high is only 3.5°C (38.3°F), dropping even lower at night, emphasizing the firm grip of winter on the city.
Weather in December » [Resources]