Trentino is a mainly mountainous
province, a factor that tends to exaggerate the characteristics of the
continental climate. The valleys have high temperatures in the summer
accompanied by a certain degree of humidity, although the currents created by
the valley and mountain breezes help to mitigate to a certain extent the close
atmosphere in summer and the cold in winter.
For areas between 800 and 1,200
metres the winters are colder while the summers are fresh and dry. In this
altitude band, which concerns most of the mountain tourist resorts in the
province, the maximum temperature, on average, varies in the period between June
and September from 20° to 24° Celsius, while the minimum temperature for the
same period varies between 9° and 12° Celsius.
In the winter season the
temperatures are much colder and often drop below zero. This leads to frost
which means that drivers should be especially careful on the roads. Rainfall is
mainly concentrated in the spring and autumn; however, in the mountains near the
peaks, isolated heavy showers as a result of storms are quite common, although
they do not last long. On the peaks themselves this phenomenon is even more
frequent, as the weather high in the mountains is subject to sudden changes; for
this reason a certain prudence is advised in tackling some of the more difficult
itineraries, and hikers should set out suitably equipped and should be able to
orientate themselves in the event of fog or snow.
In winter, therefore, it is
recommended that you take along the following clothing: woollen clothes, an
anorak, a hat of some kind, gloves and shoes suitable for snow-covered
itineraries.
In summer, too, it is a good idea to
take a heavy article of clothing such as a jumper or a sweatshirt with you,
while a light waterproof anorak is essential.