Skip to main content
Book cover

The Geography of Slovenia pp 71–89Cite as

Climate and Weather of Slovenia

Part of the World Regional Geography Book Series book series (WRGBS)

Abstract

There are three main types of climate in Slovenia: a temperate humid climate with hot summers, a temperate continental climate, and a mountain climate, each of them with several subtypes. The average annual temperature is highest along the coast, where it exceeds 12 °C. In central Slovenia these values are between 8 and 10 °C, falling below freezing only on the highest peaks. Most temperature extremes have been recorded in the interior of Slovenia, where temperature inversions are frequent in the winter; in the spring damage is caused by frost and in the summer by drought. Slovenia is well supplied with solar energy and is fairly wet, with an average annual precipitation of 1750 mm. The highest amount of precipitation is in the northwest and the least is in the northeast. The greatest precipitation in the Julian Alps in the northwestern part of the country is three times greater than that in Pannonian northeastern Slovenia. In the winter snow regularly covers the entire country except for the coastal zone. Compared to the rest of Europe, Slovenia is record-setting for the annual number of thunderstorm days, and due to its varied relief, it is not as windy. It is characterized by an overall trend of rising temperatures, and the amount of precipitation is increasing particularly in the western half of the country, although in other parts no noticeable trend diverging from long-term averages has been observed.

Keywords

  • Physical geography
  • Climate
  • Solar radiation
  • Temperature
  • Precipitation
  • Weather extremes

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution.

Chapter
USD   29.95
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_5
  • Chapter length: 19 pages
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
eBook
USD   169.00
Price excludes VAT (USA)
  • ISBN: 978-3-030-14066-3
  • Instant PDF download
  • Readable on all devices
  • Own it forever
  • Exclusive offer for individuals only
  • Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout
Softcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Hardcover Book
USD   219.99
Price excludes VAT (USA)
Learn about institutional subscriptions
Fig. 5.1
Fig. 5.2
Fig. 5.3
Fig. 5.4
Fig. 5.5
Fig. 5.6
Fig. 5.7
Fig. 5.8
Fig. 5.9
Fig. 5.10
Fig. 5.11
Fig. 5.12
Fig. 5.13
Fig. 5.14
Fig. 5.15

References

  • Auer I, Böhm R, Jurkovic A, Lipa W, Orlik A, Potzmann R, Schöner W, Ungersböck M, Matulla C, Briffa K, Jones P (2007) HISTALP – historical instrumental climatological surface time series of the Greater Alpine Region. Int J Climatol 27(1):17–46. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.1377

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Bergant K, Cegnar T, Črepinšek Z, Dolinar M, Gregorič G, Kajfež-Bogataj L, Kurnik B, Matajc I, Pečenko A, Rogelj D, Sušnik A, Zupančič B, Žust A (2004) Spremembe podnebja in kmetijstvo v Sloveniji [Climate change and agriculture in Slovenia]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana. http://www.arso.gov.si/o%20agenciji/knji%C5%BEnica/publikacije/Spremembe_podnebja.pdf. Accessed 18 Apr 2018

  • Bernard Vukadin B, Kovač N, Kušar U (2014) Climate change. In: Kušar U, Bernard Vukadin B, Kovač N (eds) Environment indicators in Slovenia. Slovenian Environment Agency, Ljubljana, pp 26–39

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertalanič R, Cegnar T, Dolinar M, Matajc I, Nadbath M, Ovsenik-Jeglič M, Vertačnik G, Vičar Z, Zrnec C (2006a) Climate of Slovenia (1971–2000). Slovenian Environment Agency, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertalanič R, Dolinar M, Nadbath M, Ovsenik-Jeglič T, Vertačnik G, Vičar Z (2006b) Climate of Slovenia 1971–2000. Slovenian Environment Agency, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Bertalanič R, Demšar M, Dolinar M, Dvoršek D, Nadbath M, Pavčič B, Roethel-Kovač M, Vertačnik G, Vičar Z (2010) Spremenljivost podnebja v Sloveniji [Change of climate in Slovenia]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana. http://meteo.arso.gov.si/uploads/probase/www/climate/text/sl/publications/spremenljivost%20podnebja.pdf. Accessed 19 Aug 2017

  • Cegnar T (2008) Average annual air temperature, 1:1.000.000. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Pavšek M, Perko D, Repolusk P, Urbanc U (eds) Slovenia in focus. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, p 81

    Google Scholar 

  • Cegnar T, Roškar J (2004) Meteorološka postaja Kredarica 1954–2004 [Meteorological Station Kredarica 1954–2004]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana. http://www.arso.gov.si/vreme/poro%C4%8Dila%20in%20publikacije/Kredarica1954-2004.pdf. Accessed 19 Aug 2017

  • ClimateChangePost: Slovenia (2018) https://www.climatechangepost.com/slovenia/climate-change/. Accessed 30 Nov 2018

  • Dolinar M, Kozjek K, Skok G (2017) Objective climate classification of Slovenia. Int J Climatol 37(1):848–860. https://doi.org/10.1002/joc.5042

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Furlan D (1960) Klimatska razmejitev Slovenije [Climate delineation of Slovenia]. Geografski vestnik 32:45–57

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M (1996) Solar radiation and the diverse relief of Slovenia. Geografski zbornik 36:48–68

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M (1998) The Triglav Glacier between 1986 and 1998. Acta Geogr Slov 38:89–110

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Kastelec D (2008) Solar radiation. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Pavšek M, Perko D, Repolusk P, Urbanc U (eds) Slovenia in focus. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, p 80

    Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Ortar J, Pavšek M, Zorn M, Triglav Čekada M (2013) The Triglav Glacier between the years 1999 and 2012. Acta Geogr Slov 53(2):257–293. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS53202

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Gabrovec M, Hrvatin M, Komac B, Ortar J, Pavšek M, Topole M, Triglav Čekada M, Zorn M (2014) Triglavski ledenik [The Triglav Glacier]. Geografija Slovenije 30. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1972) Prispevek h klimatogeografski delitvi Slovenije [Contribution to micro-climate division of Slovenia]. Geografski obzornik 19(1):1–9

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1986) Osnove pokrajinske ekologije [Basis of landscape ecology]. Filozofska fakulteta, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1996) Termalni pas v Sloveniji [Thermal zone in Slovenia]. Geografski vestnik 68:5–38

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (1998) Geografske značilnosti Slovenije [Geographical characteristics of Slovenia]. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Gams I (2003) Kras v Sloveniji v prostoru in času [Karst in Slovenia in space and time]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Honzak L, Jukić M, Pintar M (2017) Analiza meritev vetra v Vipavski dolini [Analysis of wind speed measurements in the Vipava Valley]. Vetrnica 9:9–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Ilešič S (1970) Klimatska območja Jugoslavije [Climate zones in Yugoslavia]. Geografski obzornik 17(3–4):4–10

    Google Scholar 

  • Ivajnšič D (2010) Toplotni otok Ljutomera [The urban heat island of Ljutomer]. Geografski obzornik 57(2):14–21

    Google Scholar 

  • Klimatološka povprečja (1981–2010) [Climatological averages 1981–2010]. http://meteo.arso.gov.si/met/sl/climate/tables/normals_81_10. Accessed 18 Apr 2018

  • Komac B, Ciglič R, Pavšek M, Kokalj Ž (2017) Naravne nesreče v mestih – primer mestnega toplotnega otoka [Natural hazards in cities – the case of urban heat island]. In: Zorn M, Komac B, Ciglic R, Tičar J (eds) Trajnostni razvoj mest in naravne nesreče. Naravne nesreče 4. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, pp 51–67

    Google Scholar 

  • Kušar U, Bernard Vukadin B, Kovač N (eds) (2014) Environmental indicators in Slovenia. Slovenian Environment Agency, Ljubljana. http://nfp-si.eionet.europa.eu/publikacije/Datoteke/Kazalci%20okolja%20v%20Sloveniji/Kazalciokoljavsloveniji_en.pdf. Accessed 17 Dec 2017

  • Melik A (1935) Slovenija – Geografski opis [Slovenia – geographical description]. Slovenska matica, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Mihevc A (1998) Brezstropa jama pri Povirju in denudirane jame v okolici Divače [Unroofed cave at Povir and denuded caves in the vicinity of Divača]. Geografski obzornik 45(2):12–17

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (1996) Podnebni tipi v Sloveniji [The climate types of Slovenia]. Geografski vestnik 68:39–56

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (2000) Nekatere topoklimatske značilnosti razporejanja temperature zraka in burje v razgibanem reliefu Slovenije [Some topoclimatic characteristics of the distribution of air temperatures and bora in the agitated landforms of Slovenia]. Dela 15:125–138

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (2002) Podnebje [Climate]. In: Ušeničnik B (ed) Nesreče in varstvo pred njimi. Uprava Republike Slovenije za zaščito in reševanje, Ljubljana, pp 29–34

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (2004a) Modern climate change in Slovenia. In: Orožen Adamič M (ed) Slovenia: a geographical overview. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, pp 45–50

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (2004b) Vreme in podnebje [Weather and climate]. In: Zych B, Mihelač Š (eds) Narava Slovenije. Mladinska knjiga, Ljubljana, pp 73–101

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin M (2005) Measuring winter precipitation with snow cover water accumulation in mountainous areas. Acta Geogr Slov 45(2):63–92. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS45203

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin D (2008) Climate, 1:1.000.000. In: Fridl J, Kladnik D, Orožen Adamič M, Pavšek M, Perko D, Repolusk P, Urbanc U (eds) Slovenia in focus. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana, p 84

    Google Scholar 

  • Ogrin M, Ortar J (2007) The importance of water accumulation of snow cover measurements in mountainous regions of Slovenia. Acta Geogr Slov 47(1):47–71. https://doi.org/10.3986/AGS47103

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

  • Ovsenik-Jeglič T (2006) Trajanje sončnega obsevanja [The duration of the solar irradiation]. In: Cegnar T (ed) Živeti s podnebnimi spremembami. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana, pp 47–51

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakovec J, Žagar M, Bertalanič R, Cedilnik J, Gregorič G, Skok G, Zakšek K, Oštir K, Podobnikar T (2003) Solar illumination radiation of Slovenia. Geodetski vestnik 47(2):55–63

    Google Scholar 

  • Rakovec J, Žagar M, Bertalanic R, Cedilnik J, Gregoric G, Skok G, Žagar N (2009) Vetrovnost v Sloveniji [Wind in Slovenia]. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Slovenski vremenski rekordi [Slovenian Weather Records] (2018) Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana. http://meteo.arso.gov.si/uploads/probase/www/climate/text/sl/weather_events/slovenski-vremenski-rekordi.pdf. Accessed 18 Apr 2018

  • Sušnik A (ed) (2004) Spremembe podnebja in kmetijstvo v Sloveniji [Climate change and agriculture in Slovenia]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Urbanc M, Pipan P (eds) (2011) ClimAlpTour – climate change and its impact on tourism in the alpine space. Založba ZRC, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Vertačnik G (2009) Sibirsko jutro na Komni – rekordni mraz 9. januarja 2009 [Siberian morning on the Komna plateau – the record cold on January 9, 2009]. Vetrnica 1:9–25

    Google Scholar 

  • Vertačnik G, Bertalanič R (2017) Podnebna spremenljivost Slovenije v obdobju 1961–2011. 3. Značilnosti podnebja v Sloveniji [Climate variability of Slovenia in the period 1961–2011. 3. Climate characteristics in Slovenia]. Agencija Republike Slovenije za okolje, Ljubljana

    Google Scholar 

  • Zakšek K, Podobnikar T, Oštir K (2005) Solar radiation modelling. Comput Geosci 31(2):233–240. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cageo.2004.09.018

    CrossRef  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. ZRC SAZU Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Blaž Komac, Miha Pavšek & Maja Topole

Authors
  1. Blaž Komac
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Miha Pavšek
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Maja Topole
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Blaž Komac .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Drago Perko

  2. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Rok Ciglič

  3. Anton Melik Geographical Institute, Research Centre of the Slovenian Academy of Sciences and Arts, Ljubljana, Slovenia

    Dr. Matija Zorn

Rights and permissions

Reprints and Permissions

Copyright information

© 2020 Springer Nature Switzerland AG

About this chapter

Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this chapter

Komac, B., Pavšek, M., Topole, M. (2020). Climate and Weather of Slovenia. In: Perko, D., Ciglič, R., Zorn, M. (eds) The Geography of Slovenia. World Regional Geography Book Series. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-14066-3_5

Download citation