Climate & travel seasons
Five climate zones protected by mountains
Ötztal covers 65 km and is therefore the longest transverse valley in the Eastern Alps, featuring five different climatic zones and landscape levels. From wide open orchards and grain fields at the valley’s entrance to extensive glacier regions at the far end of the valley, north-south directed Ötztal is particularly varied in terms of climate.
The climate in Ötztal
The Ötztal Alps belong to the dry inner alpine area. Due to this central alpine location which is protected by the surrounding mountain ranges, the valley has a fairly mild climate and comparatively low precipitation. Northern low-pressure areas are considered to bring precipitation, but also southern storms cause snowfall in winter.
The Tschirgant (mountain massif) largely protects the valley from cold northerly winds, while the winds coming from the south warm up as they cross the mountain slopes, thus ensuring the aforementioned mild climate. The difference in altitude between the single valley levels also have an effect on climate and vegetation: in Sautens and Oetz, for example, grape vines, fruit trees and sweet chestnuts are thriving. Due to its location in the rain shadow of the Alps, the valley is one of the driest areas of the alpine region.
The reason for this inner-alpine dryness lies in the prevailing north-west weather conditions. Moist air masses from the northwest fall to a large extent on the northern side of the Alps. The average annual precipitation in Gurgl is around 830 mm and in Vent it is only 675 mm.
- Temperature decreases with altitude (approx. 0.6°C/100m) and causes a longer frost period (temperature fluctuations per day up to 50°C)
- Precipitation and snow percentage increase significantly with altitude
- Wind speed increases with altitude; distribution of snow and slope exposure determine living opportunities
- Ötztal covers 65 km and is the longest side valley in Tirol and the Eastern Alps
- Ötztal separates the Stubai Alps in the east from the Ötztal Alps in the west
- Ötztal was divided into several stages and levels by huge rockslides
- Ötztal at the height of Zwieselstein divides into Gurgler Tal and Venter Tal valleys
- only around 5% of the valley area is considered a settlement area
- lake Piburger See is one of Tirol’s warmest natural swimming lakes with a surface temperature of up to 25° C in midsummer
- the glaciers (referred to as “Ferner” in dialect) are important water reservoirs. 115 km² (13%) of Ötztaler Ache’s watershed area is covered by glaciers
- the largest glaciers in Ötztal are: Gurgler Ferner, Schalfferner, Vernagtferner and Hintereisferner
- climate fluctuations repeatedly led to the growth and retreat of glaciers. However, glacier retreat has been noted since the middle of the 19th century
- the village of Oetz at the entrance to the valley was nicknamed “Meran of North Tirol” due to its mild climate
- the Alpine Research Center at Obergurgl’s University Center run by the University of Innsbruck has been measuring and evaluating weather data from upper Ötztal in great detail for decades
- on average, the warmest months are July and August, the coolest months are January and February
- upper Ötztal is a holiday destination perfect for allergy sufferers due to its altitude and pollen-free air
- the village of Haiming at the entrance to the valley is one of North Tirol's largest fruit-growing communities with more than 60,000 apple and fruit trees
- Sölden is Austria’s largest municipality covering 467 km²
- Geosphere Austria (Institute for Meteorology and Geodynamics) collected detailed climate data for Umhausen and Obergurgl between 1971 and 2000, which you can find HERE
