Some Peculiarities of the Mountain Climate

Compared to the weather in nearby plains, the mountain climate varies considerably according to difference in altitude, physical relief and exposure to sunshine. Phenomenon such as the breezes and the 'fohn' can have an effect on tourists.

Mountain Breeze
Towards midday, the warm expanded air of the valleys flows up the natural corridors, causing the formation of clouds around the summits. This increase in clouds in the afternoon is a sign of fine, settled weather (and should incite walkers to get out and about early in the mornings). At the end of the afternoon, this warm valley breeze ceases to blow. A cooler and generally stronger mountain breeze sweeps the valley in the opposite direction. The Fohn This wind is most strongly felt north of the Alps, in the Alpine valleys od the Rhine, Inn and Salzach.

The phenomena is caused by the passage of a deep barometric depression along the north slope of the Alps. Rid of it's moisture on the Italian slopes of the range, where there are often storms and rain, the air drawn in by this depression as it loses altitude (1 degree c per 100m) is transformed into a dry and burning wind, while the atmosphere becomes wonderfully clear.

In the mountains, everyone is on the alert. Torrents are in spate, avalanches rumble and the risk of fire is great. Citizens live in such a state of nervous exhaustion that examinations are sometimes suspended in Innsbruck schools.

The fohn can be submitted as a defence in criminal trials.

On a positive note however, the fohn melts the snow and enables flocks to be sent up to the Alpine pastures early. It also promotes extended growth of crops.