Prague Climate
Prague weather today and Prague weather forecast
For Prague weather today and weather forecast for the next 5 days, please see Prague Weather.
Prague Climate and Temperatures
The climate in Prague and the whole Czech Republic is temperate and quite continental (though not as continental as that of the countries further to the east). There are relatively significant differences in temperatures throughout the year.
Winters in Prague are relatively cold and the average temperature in January is around zero degrees Celsius (32°F). Every winter there are at least a couple of extremely cold days when the temperature drops to as low as -20°C (4 °F).
Summers are warm with the average temperature around 20°C (68°F) – around 25°C (77°F) in the afternoon and 15°C (59°F) in the morning. Extremely hot weather occurs sometimes with temperatures rising to as much as 35°C (95°C).
Sunshine in Prague
Sun is not the main reason why tourists visit Prague. On average Prague gets about 1,650 hours of sunshine annually, which is only slightly more than London. For comparison, Vienna gets about 2,000 hours on average, New York 2,400, and the sunniest Mediterranean cities (like Seville in Spain or Faro in Portugal) get around 3,000 hours per year.
Prague Precipitation: Rain and Snow
Precipitation is moderate in the Czech Republic and similar to other countries in Central Europe. There is generally much more rain and snow in the mountains than in the lowlands and Prague is among the driest places in the Czech Republic. Annually Prague gets about 400-800 mm of rainfall (the long-term average is around 500 mm).
Rain is relatively evenly distributed over the year, but winter is generally slightly drier and summer rainier. The months with the most rain are May, June, July, and August, though the seasonal differences are not that big. In winter it snows sometimes even in Prague, but in most cases the snow melts quite fast, especially in the city centre.
Wind and Storms in Prague
Wind is a common part of everyday life in Prague – not that much in the hidden streets of the Old Town, but in more elevated places like Prague Castle or some city parts outside the centre. In summer thunderstorms are common. Extreme storms and winds are rare, though they do happen from time to time.
Floods in Prague and the Czech Republic
In some parts of the Czech Republic floods are relatively frequent and some regions have experienced severe flooding with casualties in the last years. Prague is among the places less prone to floods, but there was a big flood in 2002 with casualties and a lot of damage. Flooding is the single most significant natural risk in the Czech Republic.
Best time to visit Prague
Considering weather as a factor, the best time to visit Prague and the Czech Republic is spring for most people, as it offers the best conditions for city sightseeing. Days are getting longer and temperatures are mild, though the weather may change frequently. In July and August it sometimes gets too hot in the city centre. On the other hand, in late autumn or winter temperatures tend to drop to very low levels.
That being said, note that every season offers something unique and paints a different picture in Prague streets and parks, therefore visiting multiple times in different seasons would be the best option. For example, a view of Charles Bridge or Old Town Square covered with snow is definitely worth the freezing in December.
Topics: Climate, Floods in Prague, Old Town Square, Prague weather
