If you spend time in Munich during the fall, you’ll quickly notice the season shifting. Warm afternoons in early September fade into chilly days by late November, and the skies just seem to get grayer as the weeks go by. Daytime temperatures usually fall from about 70°F in early autumn to around 40°F by the end of the season.
You’ll see changes in rainfall, cloud cover, and daylight, too. Rain happens less often as autumn moves along, but light snow can show up toward the end. The days shrink by over four hours from September to November, so evenings sneak up on you a lot faster than you might expect.
Knowing these patterns makes it easier to get ready for your time in the city. Whether you want to wander Munich’s old streets, hang out in the beer gardens, or take trips out into the Bavarian countryside, having a handle on the weather helps you pack and plan with more confidence.
Overview of Fall Weather in Munich
Fall in Munich brings a steady shift from mild late-summer days to colder, shorter, and cloudier weather by November. You’ll notice temperatures and daylight dropping, along with a higher chance of snow as the season wraps up.
Geographical and Climatic Context
Munich sits in southern Bavaria, tucked near the foothills of the Alps, at about 1,719 feet (524 meters) above sea level. This spot really shapes the weather in Munich, especially in autumn. Since the city’s inland, it doesn’t get the sea’s moderating touch, so temperature swings can feel more dramatic.
Cold air from the north and moist air from the Alps often meet here. That mix can flip the weather from sunny to cloudy and damp, sometimes all in a single day.
Munich’s higher elevation and closeness to the mountains bring cooler nights than you’ll find in other German cities at the same latitude. This becomes pretty obvious in late October and November, when frost shows up more often.
Typical Weather Patterns in Autumn
Temperatures drop steadily as the season goes on. In September, daily highs usually hit 65–70°F (18–21°C), and lows hover near 50°F (10°C). By October, highs slide down to 51–58°F (11–14°C), with lows around 41°F (5°C). November feels much colder, with highs closer to 40°F (4–6°C) and lows near freezing.
Rain comes pretty often in early fall, but the odds of a wet day go down as winter gets closer. Average rainfall drops from about 3.3 inches in September to 1.6 inches by late November. At the same time, snow starts to show up more, especially in November.
Clouds thicken as fall moves along. September brings more clear or partly sunny days, but November is mostly overcast. Daylight disappears fast, with sunset moving from after 7:30 PM in early September to about 4:30 PM by late November.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Compared to summer, fall in Munich feels cooler, cloudier, and less humid. Summer highs often reach the mid-70s °F (24°C), but after mid-September, fall rarely brings that kind of warmth. Rain also drops off compared to the wetter summer months.
Winter gets colder and snowier. Average highs in December and January range from 32–37°F (0–3°C), and snow is pretty common. Fall acts as the bridge between summer’s mild warmth and winter’s harsher cold.
Spring starts off chilly but warms up little by little. Unlike fall, spring brings longer days and a growing season that’s just getting started. In autumn, you see the opposite: days get shorter, nights get colder, and outdoor growing comes to an end.
Average Fall Temperatures
Fall in Munich means steady cooling, shorter days, and a real change from mild early September to chilly late November. You’ll get comfortable afternoons at first, but by the end, nights often dip near freezing.
Daytime and Nighttime Temperature Ranges
Daytime highs in early fall often reach the upper 60s °F (around 20 °C). By late November, highs usually stay closer to the upper 40s °F (8–9 °C).
Nights cool off even faster, dropping from the low 50s °F (10–12 °C) in September to about 30 °F (-1 °C) at the end of the season.
You’ll want to be ready for big swings between day and night. A mild afternoon might turn into a chilly evening, especially in October when lows hang around 40 °F (5 °C). Layering really becomes your friend if you’re outside a lot.
Monthly Temperature Breakdown
- September: Highs average around 68 °F (20 °C), with lows near 50 °F (10 °C). Days still feel pretty warm, but cooler nights hint that autumn’s here.
- October: Highs drop to about 55–58 °F (13–14 °C). Lows fall to 40–42 °F (5 °C). Mornings and evenings can feel brisk, and some days just seem damp and chilly.
- November: Highs average around 45–48 °F (7–9 °C). Lows often dip to 32 °F (0 °C) or a touch below. Frost pops up a lot, especially overnight.
You’ll notice the steady shift from mild to cold. By late fall, you’ll definitely want warmer clothes for both day and night.
Temperature Trends Through the Season
You’ll spot a clear cooling pattern. Daily highs drop by almost 30 °F from early September to late November. Lows fall by more than 20 °F during the same stretch.
At the start, afternoons can still be pleasant for being outside. As October moves along, cooler days and longer nights make everything feel a bit damper and crisper. By November, winter starts to creep in, with more frosts and some light snow.
It’s smart to plan for colder weather the later in fall you visit Munich.
Rainfall and Precipitation in Autumn
Rainfall in Munich during autumn shifts from late-summer showers to hints of winter snow. You’ll see less total rain as the season goes on, with fewer wet days but a rising chance of mixed precipitation.
Monthly Precipitation Totals
Rain totals in Munich drop quickly through the season. In September, you usually get about 60 mm (2.4 in) of rain. October averages 70 mm (2.7 in), and by November, the average falls to about 50 mm (2.0 in).
Looking at 31-day averages, rainfall decreases from around 3.3 inches in September to 1.6 inches by late November. September is the wettest autumn month, while November is usually the driest.
Munich’s yearly total precipitation is pretty high (around 950–1,100 mm), but autumn brings less than summer. You won’t see many heavy afternoon thunderstorms now—rain tends to be lighter and more spread out.
Rainy Days and Frequency
The number of rainy days drops as autumn goes on. In September, you might get 9–17 days with measurable rain. October averages 12 wet days, and November usually has fewer than 10 days of rain.
The chance of a wet day falls from about 37% in early September to around 27% by late November. So if you’re outdoors later in the season, rain will interrupt you less often.
Autumn rain is usually moderate. Summer brings short, intense showers, but in fall, heavy downpours are rare. Instead, you’ll see light to steady rain that can last for hours.
Types of Precipitation
Rain rules early autumn, but by late October and November, things start to change. The probability of snow goes from nearly 0% in September to about 2% by November, while mixed rain and snow rises to about 4%.
This period can bring damp, chilly days when rain briefly turns to sleet or light snow. Full snow cover isn’t common before winter, though.
For most of autumn, you’ll see rain. Still, if you’re in Munich in November, be ready for the season’s first snow, especially at night or early in the morning.
Relative Humidity and Atmospheric Conditions
Humidity in Munich during fall changes as temperatures drop and daylight shrinks. You’ll feel a difference between early and late autumn, with the air’s moisture affecting comfort, cloud cover, and the odds of rain or snow.
Average Humidity Levels
Relative humidity in Munich stays pretty high through fall. In September, it usually ranges between 70–75%—moderately humid, but not oppressive. By October, it rises closer to 80–84%, so the air feels damper and cooler.
November is usually the most humid month, averaging around 84%. Fog becomes more common in the mornings and evenings. The higher humidity, mixed with lower temperatures, makes the air feel colder than the thermometer says.
In summer, humidity can drop to about 55% in July, but fall rarely feels dry. Even with lots of moisture, it doesn’t get muggy or tropical. Instead, you get that classic damp, chilly feeling.
Humidity Changes During Fall
As fall moves along, humidity levels rise while temperatures fall. This combo boosts cloud cover, with skies going from about 46% overcast in early September to over 60% by late November. The extra moisture helps clouds build up fast.
Rainfall drops during fall, but the air stays humid. In September, wet days mostly bring rain. By November, the chance of mixed rain and snow grows to around 4%, and light snow alone appears about 2% of the time.
If you’re traveling, get ready for damp conditions even if there’s not much rain. A light waterproof jacket and some layers will help you stay comfortable when humidity and cool winds team up.
Wind and Weather Phenomena
During fall in Munich, wind conditions stay moderate, but the nearby Alps can trigger quick changes. Average wind speeds remain steady, but certain weather patterns bring warmer or colder air, so be prepared.
Average Wind Speed in Autumn
In autumn, Munich usually gets average wind speeds between 2.5 and 3 m/s (about 5–7 mph). Most days, you’ll just feel a light breeze rather than strong gusts.
The windiest part of the day usually comes in the early afternoon, while mornings are calmer. This pattern holds steady from September through November.
Wind speeds rarely get strong enough to cause problems. Still, you might notice slightly stronger breezes in October as cooler air moves in more often.
If you’re planning outdoor stuff, expect breezes that are fine for walking or cycling. In late autumn, those cooler winds can make it feel colder than the numbers suggest.
Here’s a quick look at average speeds:
| Month | Average Wind Speed |
|---|---|
| September | ~2.5 m/s (5.6 mph) |
| October | ~2.6–2.7 m/s (6 mph) |
| November | ~2.7–3.0 m/s (6–7 mph) |
Notable Winds and Local Effects
Munich’s spot near the Alps means you might run into Föhn winds, which are a local classic. These winds happen when air flows over the mountains, warms up as it drops, and hits the city with higher temps and lower humidity.
When the Föhn blows, you can get sudden warmth even in late October or November, with temperatures sometimes jumping to 20–25°C (68–77°F). The air feels drier, which actually makes being outside a lot nicer.
The Föhn can roll in fast and change the day’s feel in just a few hours. Some locals love the warmth, but others say the winds give them headaches or just make them tired.
Without the Föhn, Munich’s fall weather trends cooler and damper. You might spot early frosts toward the end of November, mostly at night.
So, autumn in Munich brings a mix of steady breezes and the occasional Alpine wind, but things rarely get extreme. It’s smart to bring layers so you can switch between cool, damp days and those surprise warm spells.
Daylight Hours and Sunshine
In Munich during fall, daylight gets noticeably shorter, and sunshine hours drop as cloud cover rolls in more often. You’ll see a real shift from those long, bright September days to the much shorter, dimmer ones by late November.
Length of Daylight by Month
At the start of September, you get about 13 hours and 20 minutes of daylight. By the end of November, that slips to just 8 hours and 40 minutes.
Daylight shrinks pretty steadily, losing about 3 minutes per day on average.
The earliest sunset in late November comes at around 4:20 PM. The latest sunrise in late October creeps up to about 7:50 AM.
Daylight saving time ends in late October, which pushes sunrise and sunset about one hour earlier.
Here’s a quick reference:
| Month | Sunrise (approx.) | Sunset (approx.) | Daylight Hours |
|---|---|---|---|
| September | 6:30–7:00 AM | 7:30–7:50 PM | 12.5–13 hrs |
| October | 7:15–7:45 AM | 6:00–6:30 PM | 10–11 hrs |
| November | 7:30–7:50 AM | 4:20–4:40 PM | 8.5–9 hrs |
You’ll definitely notice how fast the daylight disappears as fall moves along in Munich.
Average Daily Sunshine
As daylight hours drop, the number of sunshine hours falls too, mostly because of all those extra clouds. In early fall, you might get around 5 to 6 hours of sunshine per day. By November, you’re sometimes down to just 2 to 3 hours.
October usually brings about 4 hours of sunshine daily, but it really depends on how cloudy things get. By December, the monthly average drops to about 58 total hours, so you’re looking at less than 2 hours a day.
In percentage terms, the sun shines about 45–50% of the time in September. By late November, that’s closer to 25–30%.
Cloudier skies and shorter days make late fall in Munich feel much darker than early September.
What to Expect and How to Prepare
Temperatures in Munich drop steadily through the fall. By November, you’ll notice both shorter daylight hours and more cloud cover. Rain shows up a lot early in the season, and then snow starts to become a real possibility as fall wraps up. These changes definitely affect how you pack and plan your days.
Weather Variability and Packing Tips
In September, expect mild days around 65°F (18°C), but nights cool down to about 50°F (10°C). By October, daytime highs usually drop into the 50s°F (10–15°C), and nights can get close to freezing.
November brings highs in the 40s°F (5–10°C), and you’ll see the occasional frost.
Rain comes often in early fall, with 9–17 wet days in October. As winter gets closer, rain lets up a bit, and snow becomes more likely by late November, though it’s usually pretty light.
Cloud cover just keeps building as the season goes on, so sunny days get rarer.
Pack in layers to keep up with the changes. A waterproof jacket, warm sweater, and comfortable walking shoes should be on your list. If you’re visiting in late October or November, you’ll want a scarf, gloves, and hat too.
An umbrella can help, but honestly, it’s not great on windy days. A hooded raincoat is often the smarter bet.
Seasonal Events and Outdoor Activities
Fall in Munich really buzzes with cultural events. Oktoberfest kicks off in late September and rolls into early October, and honestly, the crowds can get pretty wild. The weather stays cool but nothing too harsh—a light jacket usually does the trick during the day.
October brings even cooler evenings, so people tend to gravitate toward indoor stuff like concerts or museum trips. Parks like the English Garden look especially gorgeous with all the colorful leaves, though mornings can be chilly. If you head out early, maybe plan a shorter walk or just grab an extra layer.
When November hits, outdoor activities drop off because it gets colder and the days feel way shorter. Still, you can check out the Christmas markets that pop up late in the month. Just be ready for cold evenings, and don’t forget a heavier coat and maybe a warm drink in hand.