Temperature in Auschwitz: II Weather Season by Season

Are you planning to visit the Auschwitz concentration and extermination camp and would like to make the best arrangements? We have great news for you: you are just in the right place.

In this article we will look at the temperatures you will find in each season, so you can choose the best time of year for your needs.

Auschwitz is a very important memorial, which still bears witness to the brutality of the Nazi regime and continues to remind us of the tragic events related to the Holocaust.

To ensure you have a comfortable visit, we suggest you take into account the fluctuating temperatures. Read on if you want to learn more!

ALT! Remember that if you wish to visit the Auschwitz camp-museum, you should not only check the weather, but also to reserve priority entrance: only in this way will you be able to skip the long lines to gain access to the site. In addition, we recommend that you book accompaniment by an experienced escort so that you can have a truly complete experience during your visit to this important site.

Auschwitz: seasons compared

ID 101879929 | Auschwitz © Bruno Coelho | Dreamstime.com

General climate of Auschwitz

As far as the climate of Auschwitz is concerned, one must consider that the winters are really harsh, with temperatures well below freezing, snow, and tense winds.

Summers, on the other hand, are more pleasant, sometimes hot, but almost never characterized by too extreme temperatures.

The hot season lasts roughly from the end of May until the beginning of September, when the average maximum temperature exceeds 19°C.

The hottest month on record is July, when the average maximum temperature in Auschwitz is 24°C, while the minimum is 13°C.

The coldest season, on the other hand, covers the period between November and early March, with the most extreme peaks in January, when the average minimum temperature is -4°C and the maximum is just 1°C.

Visiting Auschwitz in winter (December-February)

During winter, temperatures drop below freezing and rarely exceed 4 degrees. Not surprisingly, the coldest month of the year is January, characterized by a minimum temperature of -4°C; it is also the month with the most snowfall, with an average of 59 centimeters of snow.

In general, it is the whole winter to observe such phenomena. Visiting Auschwitz in these temperatures may be prohibitive for some, however, it may hold some advantages for those who can withstand the cold.

For starters, it is a time when the museum-camp is not stormed by tourists, and this might allow you a quieter visit, without excessive crowding, capable of giving you something extra from the point of view of depth.

Also, you will be able to understand more about the level of suffering of the prisoners, taking into account the darker winter atmosphere and especially the poor condition of the deportees’ uniforms, which were inadequate for such harsh winters.

However, if you wish to visit Auschwitz in winter, you should dress appropriately, so we recommend waterproof shoes, as well as a jacket that must be windproof and rainproof, as well as warm clothes, scarves and gloves to cover your extremities well.

Finally, remember that in winter you can rely on Auschwitz’s shortest opening hours all year round.

Auschwitz in spring (March-May)

As spring arrives, you can count on rising temperatures: in March the maximum rises to 8°C, up to the much warmer 19°C in late May.

However, minimum temperatures continue to be quite low, ranging from 3°C in March to 14°C in May.

The days are starting to get longer and longer, and the milder weather allows for more favorable visits to Auschwitz, although in early March it is still possible to run into occasional snowfall, and with April and May it is possible to find rainy days. But rest assured: this is not the norm!

This period could be ideal: it is not yet the high season, the days are quite temperate, ideal for a quiet visit, without great risk of rain or excessive heat.

But beware: the weather varies greatly between March and May! Watch the weather carefully on the day you plan to visit!

Visiting the camp in summer (June-August)

If, like many visitors, you have a summer vacation, you will be pleased to know that, at this time, temperatures are the hottest of the year!

In addition, the museum-camp’s opening hours are also the widest all year round. Of course, you will no longer have the problem of snowfall, but pay attention: July is the month with the most rain, so it is recommended to have a portable umbrella and waterproof shoes with you.

However, the summer months are also the busiest for visitors, so expect great crowding inside the camp.

If you opt for one of these months, it might be a winning choice to show up at the entrance a little earlier than opening hours.

Temperatures are quite warm, considering the temperate climate, with peaks of 27°C-that’s why we recommend having water with you and considering the use of sunscreen and hats.

However, considering the importance of the site visited, we advise against too short, brightly colored or inappropriate clothes.

Auschwitz-Birkenau in autumn (September-November)

As the warm weather comes to an end, temperatures start to drop again quickly, although they still allow good days for your visit.

If in September you can still count on maximum temperatures of about 20°C (but already a minimum of about 9°C), by November we will be on maximum temperatures of about 9°C, with the presence of occasional snowfall.

However, September and October are more stable months in terms of precipitation, and in terms of attendance, the crowding typical of the summer months is reduced.

Add to this the atmospheric atmosphere of the autumn landscape, perhaps more appropriate to the solemnity of the place, and you may find this season to be the most suitable time for your needs.

Auschwitz-Birkenau Weather: Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusions

So here we have come to the end of our article on the climatic conditions in Auschwitz. As we have seen, in the winter the temperatures are very cold, with frequent snowfalls thinning out in March, entering spring.

In this season temperatures rise to a maximum temperature in May, just under 20°C.

Summer is obviously the hottest season, with maximum temperatures above 25°C, however June and July are months with a high chance of precipitation.

And finally autumn will come, with temperatures again falling but still mild, until the return of the November snowfall.

We also mentioned that the opening hours of the museum-camp vary from month to month, so in order to better plan your visit, we suggest you also take a look at our other articles, in which we deal precisely with the topic of opening hours observed at Auschwitz.

But that’s not all: you will find guides with valuable information both about planning your visit and of a historical nature to arrive well prepared!

In conclusion, then, consider carefully what the best time of year for your visit may be, because choosing the season that best suits your needs can make all the difference!

But there is more: we would like to remind you of the importance of purchasing a skip-the-line ticket, thanks to which you can skip the long lines at the entrance.

Finally, remember the importance of living the experience accompanied by an experienced guide to further enrich your stay. Click here if you want to learn more.

You now have everything you need to best organize your visit to Auschwitz, with all that it means, because, as José Saramago said, “We are the memory we have and the responsibility we assume. Without memory we do not exist and without responsibility perhaps we do not deserve to exist.”