Nuremberg has a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold with frequent snow, while summers are warm but rarely hot. The city sits at 309m (1,014ft) elevation in the Franconian basin, which tempers extremes compared to the Bavarian Alps further south. Annual rainfall totals 642mm (25.3 inches), distributed fairly evenly throughout the year, with June and July typically the wettest months. Nuremberg averages 1,690 sunshine hours annually.
| Month | Avg High (°C/°F) | Avg Low (°C/°F) | Rainfall (mm) | Rain Days | Sunshine (hours) | Snow Days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 2 / 36 | -3 / 27 | 42 | 16 | 47 | 9 |
| February | 4 / 39 | -3 / 27 | 36 | 14 | 73 | 7 |
| March | 9 / 48 | 0 / 32 | 42 | 14 | 120 | 3 |
| April | 13 / 55 | 3 / 37 | 40 | 13 | 171 | 1 |
| May | 19 / 66 | 8 / 46 | 63 | 14 | 211 | 0 |
| June | 22 / 72 | 11 / 52 | 67 | 14 | 217 | 0 |
| July | 24 / 75 | 13 / 55 | 70 | 14 | 233 | 0 |
| August | 24 / 75 | 13 / 55 | 61 | 13 | 213 | 0 |
| September | 19 / 66 | 9 / 48 | 48 | 12 | 157 | 0 |
| October | 13 / 55 | 5 / 41 | 42 | 12 | 104 | 0 |
| November | 6 / 43 | 1 / 34 | 45 | 15 | 47 | 3 |
| December | 3 / 37 | -2 / 28 | 48 | 16 | 37 | 7 |
Nuremberg Weather by Month: Winter (December to February)
Winter in Nuremberg is cold with daytime highs hovering around 2°C to 4°C (36°F to 39°F) and overnight lows routinely dropping to -3°C (27°F). Snow falls on 7 to 9 days per month, and a 5 to 10cm (2 to 4 inch) snowpack is common after January cold snaps. The record low is -25°C (-13°F) set in February 1956. Sunshine is scarce at 37 to 73 hours per month, and the sun sets as early as 16:15 in late December. December’s Christkindlesmarkt draws 2 million visitors despite the cold, with stall operators serving hot Gluhwein (3.50 to 4.50 euros plus 2.50 euro cup deposit) to keep warm. Pack thermal layers, a waterproof coat, gloves, and sturdy boots with good grip for icy cobblestones in the Altstadt.
Nuremberg Weather by Month: Spring (March to May)
Spring arrives slowly. March still sees overnight freezes and 3 snow days on average, but by April daytime highs reach 13°C (55°F) and frost becomes rare after mid-month. May brings the first genuinely warm days at 19°C (66°F), with 211 sunshine hours making it one of the sunniest months. Rainfall increases to 63mm in May across 14 rain days, so pack a light rain jacket alongside your layers. The beer gardens along the Pegnitz River typically open in mid-April, and the Tiergarten zoo’s outdoor exhibits return to full operation. Spring is also when the pollen count spikes, particularly birch and grass pollen from late March through May.
Nuremberg Weather by Month: Summer (June to August)
Summer in Nuremberg is pleasantly warm rather than hot. July and August both average 24°C (75°F) for daytime highs, with nights cooling to 13°C (55°F). Heatwaves can push temperatures to 33°C to 35°C (91°F to 95°F) for 3 to 5 days at a time, typically in late July or early August. June and July are the wettest months at 67 to 70mm across 14 rain days, but rain usually comes as brief afternoon thunderstorms. With 213 to 233 sunshine hours per month, July is the sunniest month. The Bardentreffen music festival in late July takes over the entire old town with free open-air concerts. Over 200 public drinking fountains across the city offer free water refills.
Nuremberg Weather by Month: Autumn (September to November)
September retains summer warmth at 19°C (66°F) with decreasing rainfall (48mm). The Altstadtfest in mid-September celebrates the old town. By October, highs drop to 13°C (55°F) and the first frost arrives in the last week of the month. November turns cold and grey: highs of only 6°C (43°F), just 47 hours of sunshine, 15 rain days. Fog banks settle into the Pegnitz valley on 8 to 10 November mornings, sometimes persisting all day. Autumn foliage peaks in the castle gardens and Stadtpark around the third week of October.
Nuremberg Weather by Month: Historical Extremes
Nuremberg’s all-time recorded high is 38.6°C (101.5°F) on July 27, 1983, and the all-time low is -25.4°C (-13.7°F) from February 10, 1956. Late spring frosts are a risk until mid-May: the Eisheilige (Ice Saints) around May 11 to 15 statistically bring the last cold snap. Thunderstorm days average 25 per year, concentrated in June and July. Winter inversions can trap cold air in the Franconian basin for 5 to 7 day stretches, keeping daytime temperatures below 0°C (32°F) even when surrounding hilltops are warmer.
