The city of Ljubljana is located in central Europe surrounded by the eastern Alps and the Adriatic Sea and bordered by Croatia on the east and Austria to its north. It is situated in a basin between the alpine and karst region. Due to its proximity to both the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, it has the best of both worlds. It experiences the warmth of the sea breeze as well as the chill of the mountains. Ljubljana has a continental climate, which means cold winters in contrast to the coastal regions of Slovenia, which have hot summers, and mild winters. Due to the city’s location in the basin, it experiences temperature inversion, which means it is invariably wet.
Tourist Season and Climate of Ljubljana
The tourist season in this city is mostly the summer months from May to August at which time the temperature reaches a maximum of 30 degrees Celsius but mostly stays consistent at 20-25 degrees (normal climate) Celsius. During the evenings there might be a cool breeze and a light jacket would be suitable. Such temperature is suitable for those who enjoy spending their evenings at roadside cafes.
Autumn in Ljubljana is mostly sunny, but do not be deceived the city is prone to sudden and erratic showers. Due to the fact that it is situated in a basin, it receives quite a bit of rain by Slovenian standards. Rains are expected all the way from April to the end of November.This makes Ljubljana one of the wettest European capitals. Hence it is wise to carry some sort of protective rain gear no matter how sunny it may be. Always check for blots of thunder or raindrops before venturing out.
Winters can be harsh, cold with very little or no sunshine, though by Slovenian standards the city is very sunny! The temperatures fluctuate between the months of January and December from +2 to -5 degrees Celsius but normally stay at 0 degrees. It is during this time that the city experiences temperature inversion where cool and moist winds are trapped closed to the ground.
The city has about 90 days of frost per year and snow is also quite common in the months of December and January with 65 days of recorded snow cover per year. There is also quite a bit of fog during this time. For those who dare to visit the city during these harsh months, it is advisable to carry enough warm clothes and then some more! The temperature tends to improve with the coming of February.
Every season of Ljubljana has its own distinct features with its own charm and visiting this city at any time of the year, depending on whether u like warm or cold weather, would truly be a memorable experience.