Spring in Vienna feels like a breath of fresh air after the gray chill of winter. The city’s parks and streets slowly wake up as temperatures climb from cool in March to genuinely warm by May. On average, spring in Vienna brings daytime highs from about 10 °C (50 °F) in March up to around 20 °C (68 °F) by late May.
You’ll notice the weather can change in a flash during this time of year. Early spring stays brisk, with chilly mornings, rain, or even a late frost sneaking in.
By April and May, the air softens, sunshine hours stretch out, and life outside feels more inviting. Passing showers still pop up, though, so you might want to keep an umbrella handy.
You get this mix of cool mornings, mild afternoons, and a bit of rain—spring really gives you options for exploring Vienna. The comfortable temperatures, moderate rainfall, and longer days set up a perfect backdrop for sightseeing or just relaxing outdoors.
Overview of Spring Weather in Vienna
Spring in Vienna means steady warming, longer days, and a shift from gray skies to brighter ones. March starts off cool, April brings milder afternoons, and May turns comfortably warm. Rain falls more often as spring goes on.
Typical Spring Climate Patterns
Daily high temperatures rise from about 44°F (7°C) in early March up to 71°F (22°C) by late May. Nights start out cold, near freezing in March, but by May, they warm to about 53°F (12°C).
Cloud cover drops a bit—March skies stay overcast about half the time, but by late May, you see more blue. Rain picks up as spring moves forward. Early March gets less than an inch of rain, while late May often tops two inches.
Snow can still show up in early March, but by April, it’s rare. May brings mostly rain. Humidity stays low, so it rarely feels muggy. Winds ease up too, shifting from westerly in March to more northerly by late spring.
Transition from Winter to Spring
The jump from winter to spring in Vienna stands out most in daylight and temperature. Early March gives you about 11 hours of daylight. By late May, you get close to 16 hours.
March still feels wintry, especially in the mornings, and snow showers can happen. By April, temperatures climb into the mid-50s to mid-60s °F (12–18°C), and trees and gardens start blooming.
Rain falls more often in April, usually as light showers. May brings warmer afternoons, long evenings, and more regular rain. This weather helps Vienna’s parks and flowers thrive, and spring draws plenty of visitors.
Comparison to Other Seasons
Spring feels cooler and less sunny than summer, with fewer clear days overall. Summer highs hit the upper 70s °F (25–27°C), but spring sticks to the 50s and low 70s °F (10–22°C). Late spring rain matches early summer, though storms don’t get as intense.
Compared to autumn, spring feels fresher and a bit wetter. Autumn cools down steadily, while spring heats up quickly. Winter’s a different story: short days, lots of clouds, and highs often below 40°F (4°C).
Spring really is the season of change, with moderate warmth, more daylight, and a mix of dry and rainy days shaping Vienna’s rhythm.
Average Temperatures During Spring
Spring in Vienna brings steady warming, transforming chilly March days into comfortable May afternoons. Daytime highs and nighttime lows both rise, and daylight and rainfall patterns shift, changing how the city feels as the months pass.
Monthly Temperature Ranges
March brings daily highs near 6–11°C (43–52°F), with lows close to freezing. Frost still happens, and sometimes snow lingers.
By April, things improve. Highs reach 15–17°C (59–63°F), and lows climb to about 7°C (45°F). Outdoor activities feel nicer, though rain showers happen more often.
May feels much warmer, with highs around 20–22°C (68–72°F) and lows near 11–12°C (52–54°F). At this point, Vienna weather feels like early summer, so you can skip the heavy coats for those pleasant evenings outdoors.
Daytime and Nighttime Differences
Temperature swings between day and night stay noticeable in spring. In March, highs can hit 10°C, but nights often dip below freezing. You’ll want a warm jacket for mornings and evenings, even after a mild afternoon.
April narrows the gap. Days warm into the mid-teens Celsius, and nights usually stay above 5°C. A light jacket after sunset still comes in handy.
By May, the difference shrinks more. Daytime highs above 20°C show up often, and nights rarely fall below 10°C. Late spring evenings feel mild, so you can enjoy outdoor cafés and parks without bundling up.
Notable Temperature Records
Vienna’s spring temperatures sometimes swing outside the averages. On rare cold years, March nights have dropped to -7°C (19°F), so frost risk lingers into early spring.
On the flip side, some May days have hit 28°C (82°F), which feels more like midsummer. These spikes aren’t common, but they show how unpredictable Vienna’s weather can get during these months.
For context, January—the coldest month—averages -3 to 2°C (27–36°F), while August—the hottest—averages 15 to 26°C (59–79°F). Spring lands right between these, moving from winter’s chill toward summer’s warmth.
Rainfall and Humidity in Spring
Spring in Vienna brings more rain as the season goes on, and humidity shifts too. By late spring, you’ll notice wetter conditions and more showers than in early March. Humidity, though, stays moderate and comfortable for spending time outside.
Average Precipitation by Month
Rainfall in Vienna rises gradually from early March through May. March usually gets about 39 mm (1.5 in) of precipitation, which feels light compared to later months.
By April, you see about 50 mm (2 in), and May averages close to 60 mm (2.4 in), making it the wettest month of spring.
Warmer air holds more moisture, so rain increases as temperatures rise. Unlike winter’s snow, spring brings mostly rain. Showers stay short but pop up more frequently in April and May.
Rain spreads fairly evenly across each month. You probably won’t find a week that’s always dry or always wet, so expect a few rainy days on any spring trip.
Humidity Levels and Trends
Humidity in Vienna during spring sticks to a moderate range, so the air feels comfortable even as it warms up. In March, relative humidity averages around 70–75%, reflecting the last of winter’s moisture.
By April, humidity drops a bit as temperatures rise, often landing near 65–70%. In May, it can dip to 60–65%, which feels less damp and nicer for walking or eating outside.
You might notice higher humidity on rainy days, especially in May when showers happen more often. But Vienna’s inland location keeps the air from ever feeling truly heavy, unlike coastal cities. This balance makes spring weather easy for sightseeing.
Rainy Days Frequency
The number of rainy days in Vienna shifts through spring. March usually brings 8–9 rainy days, with light showers and dry spells mixed in.
April bumps that up to about 10–11 days, with rain showing up more consistently.
By May, you get 12–13 rainy days on average—almost half the month. Rain often falls as brief showers instead of all-day drizzles, so you still get plenty of dry hours.
Carrying a small umbrella or light rain jacket makes sense, especially in May. Rain can surprise you, even on a sunny day. This pattern is pretty typical for central Europe in spring, so it’s smart to be ready.
Sunshine Hours and Daylight
Spring in Vienna brings more sunshine and longer days with each passing week. You’ll notice longer daylight and more consistent sun compared to winter, though clouds still hang around.
Average Daily Sunshine
Vienna gets a steady boost in sunshine through spring. March brings about 4 to 5 hours of sun daily.
By April, you get around 6 hours, and May jumps to 7 to 8 hours on average.
The extra sun makes outdoor plans more tempting as spring moves along. March can still feel gray, but April and May offer more reliable sunny stretches.
Compared to summer, spring sunshine is shorter and less intense, but the jump from winter is obvious. By May, you get nearly twice as much sun as in March.
| Month | Avg. Daily Sunshine |
|---|---|
| March | 4–5 hours |
| April | 6 hours |
| May | 7–8 hours |
Changes in Daylight Length
Daylight hours in Vienna stretch out fast during spring. Early March days last about 11 hours. By late May, you get nearly 16 hours of daylight.
This change builds gradually, but you’ll notice evenings getting longer. There’s just more time for walks, outdoor cafés, or sightseeing before sunset.
The big increase in daylight is one of the most striking things about Vienna’s spring. By May, the city enjoys some of the year’s longest days, making the atmosphere feel completely different from winter.
| Month | Approx. Daylight Hours |
|---|---|
| March | ~11–12 hours |
| April | ~13–14 hours |
| May | ~15–16 hours |
Wind and Atmospheric Conditions
Spring in Vienna brings gentle to moderate breezes and crisp, breathable air. You can expect comfortable wind speeds and clean conditions—perfect for spending time outdoors.
Typical Wind Speeds
Vienna’s average wind speed in spring lands between 2–3 meters per second (about 7–11 km/h or 4–7 mph). That counts as a gentle to moderate breeze. You’ll see leaves moving and flags fluttering, but the wind rarely feels harsh.
March, April, and May are among the city’s breezier months. Winds often hit closer to 3 m/s, enough to feel but not enough to bother you. On calmer days, speeds drop to about 2 m/s, so you just notice a light movement in the air.
Gusts can hit around 6 m/s on occasion, especially near the Danube or in open plazas. Most of the time, though, winds stay mild and don’t mess with your plans for sightseeing or eating outside.
Air Quality and Freshness
Vienna’s temperate climate and steady breezes keep the air fresh in spring. The wind helps clear out pollutants, so mornings and evenings feel crisp and easy to breathe.
Humidity stays moderate, so the air never feels sticky or heavy. That makes it easy to spend hours outside, whether you’re wandering old streets or relaxing in a park.
Since spring isn’t a heavy heating season, fewer emissions come from homes than in winter. That, plus regular air movement, makes spring one of the best times to enjoy Vienna’s outdoor spaces without worrying about smog or stale air.
What to Expect: Outdoor Activities and Travel Tips
Spring in Vienna offers mild weather, longer days, and a blend of indoor and outdoor experiences. You’ll find blooming gardens, lively streets, and cultural events, but it’s smart to pack for cool evenings and a few rainy spells.
Best Times to Visit in Spring
March in Vienna can feel pretty brisk. Daytime temperatures usually hover around 10–12°C (50–54°F), and nights often get close to freezing.
By April, the city starts to warm up, and you’ll spot more outdoor cafés opening their doors.
May brings the most comfortable conditions, with highs around 18–20°C (64–68°F).
If you’re hoping for fewer tourists, try coming in March or early April. You’ll breeze through museums and find public spaces much quieter.
May draws bigger crowds, sure, but the city feels lively, and parks look their best with everything in bloom.
People tend to enjoy outdoor activities like walking tours, cycling, and picnics from mid-April onward.
Schönbrunn Palace gardens, Stadtpark, and the Danube Island come alive once the trees and flowers bloom.
Recommended Clothing
Pack layers, because Vienna’s spring weather just loves to change its mind.
A lightweight waterproof jacket will help when those sudden rain showers hit, which happens fairly often in April and May.
Bring a warm sweater or fleece for those chilly mornings and evenings.
You’ll want comfortable walking shoes since you’ll probably spend hours wandering the city’s historic streets and big parks.
If cycling’s on your list, pack breathable clothing and a light windbreaker.
Locals usually carry a compact umbrella, and honestly, it’s a smart move.
Don’t forget sunglasses—sunny days start popping up more often by late spring.
Dressing in layers makes it easy to stay comfortable, no matter how much the temperature jumps around.
Popular Seasonal Events
Vienna’s spring calendar bursts with cultural and outdoor events that really show off the season. Easter markets pop up at places like Schönbrunn Palace and Freyung Square, where you’ll find traditional crafts, decorated eggs, and plenty of regional foods.
In April and May, city parks start to fill with open-air concerts and performances. The Vienna City Marathon usually happens in April, and it draws runners and spectators alike, making the whole city feel lively.
Farmers’ markets like the Naschmarkt get a lot more colorful in spring, offering fresh produce and street food that’s hard to resist. As the weather warms up, you’ll notice more street performers and local festivals, which really bring extra energy to public squares and pedestrian areas.