Best Time To Travel To: Czech Republic
The Czech Republic lies in a transition zone from a Central European oceanic to an Eastern European continental climate. Winters are usually mild, summers are not too hot or can be quite cool in places. Overall, the country is crisscrossed by several mountains. There, subalpine conditions prevail from 1,100 meters, on the highest points it can have alpine conditions. This means that it is colder there all year round, and in winter there can be snow for longer periods.
On the whole, the Czech Republic is not a country with extremely high precipitation. It is estimated that the total annual precipitation is 508mm. This is very little. Thus, one can actually speak of a relatively humid climate all year round.
As already mentioned, the climatic conditions in the Czech Republic are strongly dependent on the many mountains. The valleys lie in their protection, which is why it is rather dry, but also never extremely hot. On the other hand, the precipitation stays on the peaks and goes down there - often as snow in winter.
The Krkonoše Mountains, for example, experience relatively violent and rapid weather changes. In winter it gets relatively cold, the high altitudes are quite snow-sure. There, snow can sometimes remain for up to half a year. The higher altitudes are often covered in fog. On the top of the Siberian mountains the average annual temperature is just over 0°C. The annual precipitation in the Krkonoše increases the higher you go (from about 700mm at the bottom to about 1,230 at the top). Overall, however, the valleys at the foot of the main ridge have the highest precipitation.
It can also be rather uncomfortable on the ridges of the Ore Mountains. Overall, it is much cooler than in the valleys. The summer is shorter. Also, precipitation is higher in the higher elevations than in the lower elevations. Snow can fall from November and lasts well into April. The highest elevations of the Ore Mountains are considered to be very snow-sure. The average annual temperature on the Fichtelberg is 2.8°C, Oberwiesenthal 4.7°C and in Leipzig, for example, 9.3°C. The annual precipitation on the Fichtelberg is about 1094mm, in Oberwiesenthal 1073mm and in Leipzig 560mm.
Prague, for example, is under the influence of continental climate and also Atlantic . It is relatively mild. The annual average temperature reaches 8°C. Summers can be warm (peaks around 35°C), but winters can be quite cold (peak temp. -17°C). The highest precipitation is in summer (May 77mm). On the other hand, the winter is quite dry. Overall, it can also be said that it is always somewhat warmer and drier in the center of Prague than in the outer districts of Prague.
When is the best time to go to Czech Republic
The best time to travel to the Czech Republic depends on where you want to go. The best time for city-trips oder visiting the famous spas can be in May, June and also in September. The weather is then quite pleasant and the places are not as crowded as in July and August. July and August are, as almost everywhere in Central Europe, the main travel months. If you want it more quiet, you should rather choose almost late spring or early autumn. (Note: in May 2010, the Czech Republic was hit by some floods after heavy rainfall, especially in the area of rivers).
Winter sports enthusiasts can make a note of the period from January to the end of March. Then the snow conditions are usually good and most of the trails are well prepared.
