Freiburg im Breisgau sits in the Upper Rhine Valley at the western edge of the Black Forest, giving it Germany’s warmest and sunniest climate. At 278 m elevation with the Vosges Mountains to the west and the Black Forest to the east, Freiburg records about 1,800 sunshine hours annually , roughly 300 more than Berlin and 500 more than Hamburg. The city’s sheltered position in the Rhine rift valley creates a mild microclimate with average summer highs of 25°C (77°F) and winter lows rarely dropping below -2°C (28°F). Annual rainfall is approximately 830 mm distributed across 130 rain days, with late spring and summer thunderstorms being the heaviest precipitation events. This is part of our complete Freiburg travel guide.
Freiburg Weather by Month: Temperature and Rainfall
Data below is from the German Weather Service (DWD) Freiburg station, 1991-2020 averages. For more information, see our things to do in Freiburg.
| Month | Avg High (°C/°F) | Avg Low (°C/°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days | Sun Hours |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.7 / 40 | -0.8 / 31 | 55 | 14 | 67 |
| February | 6.8 / 44 | -0.3 / 31 | 50 | 12 | 89 |
| March | 11.4 / 53 | 2.4 / 36 | 57 | 13 | 131 |
| April | 15.8 / 60 | 5.2 / 41 | 63 | 12 | 170 |
| May | 20.0 / 68 | 9.4 / 49 | 92 | 14 | 205 |
| June | 23.4 / 74 | 12.6 / 55 | 88 | 13 | 222 |
| July | 25.5 / 78 | 14.4 / 58 | 88 | 13 | 238 |
| August | 25.1 / 77 | 13.9 / 57 | 82 | 12 | 221 |
| September | 20.4 / 69 | 10.3 / 51 | 70 | 11 | 167 |
| October | 14.9 / 59 | 6.5 / 44 | 72 | 12 | 115 |
| November | 8.4 / 47 | 2.5 / 37 | 66 | 13 | 66 |
| December | 5.3 / 42 | -0.1 / 32 | 67 | 14 | 55 |
Freiburg Weather by Month: Winter (December-February)
Winter in Freiburg is mild by German standards. January is the coldest month with highs of 4.7°C (40°F) and lows just below freezing at -0.8°C (31°F). Snow falls 5-8 days per winter but rarely accumulates more than a few centimeters in the city center, typically melting within hours. If you want snow, take bus 21 to Schauinsland (1,284 m elevation, 20 km from the city center) where ski conditions usually last from December to March. December sees 14 rainy days (67 mm) and just 55 hours of sun , short 8.5-hour days mean you’ll want indoor plans after 4 PM. The Freiburg Christmas Market on Rathausplatz and Münsterplatz runs from late November through December 23. For more information, see our Freiburg events and festivals.
Freiburg Weather by Month: Spring (March-May)
Spring arrives early in Freiburg compared to the rest of Germany. By mid-March, trees are budding and outdoor café terraces on Münsterplatz start filling up. March highs reach 11.4°C (53°F) and by May you get 20.0°C (68°F) with 205 hours of sunshine , some of the best hiking conditions of the year. May is the wettest month at 92 mm due to convective thunderstorms that build over the Black Forest in the afternoon. If you’re planning Black Forest hikes in May, start early and aim to be below treeline by 3 PM when storms typically roll in. April provides a drier window with 63 mm of rain and 170 sun hours, ideal for cycling the Dreisam River path. For more information, see our best neighborhoods in Freiburg.
Freiburg Weather by Month: Summer (June-August)
Summer is warm and sunny , Freiburg averages 25.5°C (78°F) highs in July with 238 hours of sunshine, making it Germany’s sunniest month. The city’s sheltered position in the Rhine rift means temperatures above 30°C (86°F) occur on about 15-20 days per summer, more than any other German city. The Bächle , small open water channels running through the old town streets , provide natural cooling and kids splash in them on hot days. June and August are slightly cooler and see thunderstorms every 3-4 days, typically in late afternoon. Pack sunscreen (UV index reaches 7-8 in July), a water bottle (public drinking fountains throughout the city), and light clothing. Most Freiburg buildings lack air conditioning, so request a fan at your hotel. For more information, see our where to stay in Freiburg.
Freiburg Weather by Month: Autumn (September-November)
September is often the best month to visit Freiburg for a balance of warmth, sun, and fewer crowds. Highs reach 20.4°C (69°F) with 167 hours of sun, and the Black Forest vineyards begin their harvest. October cools to 14.9°C (59°F) and autumn foliage peaks in the third week, especially along the Schlossberg trails and the drive up to Schauinsland. November is the gloomiest month , 66 hours of sun, 13 rainy days, and temperatures dropping to 2.5°C (37°F) at night. The Christmas market setup begins in late November, which brightens the short 9-hour days. For more information, see our Freiburg travel tips. See also our best time to visit Freiburg.
Freiburg Weather by Month: What to Pack
- Winter (Dec-Feb): Warm coat (not extreme , a good jacket with layers is enough), waterproof shoes, scarf, gloves. Umbrella essential.
- Spring (Mar-May): Light jacket, layers for variable conditions, rain jacket (especially May), comfortable walking shoes. Sunglasses for those 200+ sun-hour months.
- Summer (Jun-Aug): Shorts, t-shirts, sun hat, sunscreen SPF 30+, light rain jacket for thunderstorms, sandals.
- Autumn (Sep-Nov): Spring-style layers through October, warm coat by November. Waterproof footwear for November rain.
