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Climate & Seasons
Montenegro's climate varies dramatically by altitude and geography. The coast is Mediterranean; the capital is continental (extreme summer heat); the mountains are alpine (heavy winter snow). This variety is a feature - you can ski in the morning and swim in the afternoon in spring and autumn.
- Coastal (Kotor, Budva, Herceg Novi): Mediterranean - mild winters (10–14°C), warm summers (27–32°C), ~2,500 sunshine hours/year
- Podgorica: continental - mild winters (5–10°C), brutal summers (35–40°C July–August), 4–5 months of bearable temperatures
- Durmitor/mountains: alpine - heavy snow November–April, cool summers (18–22°C), spectacular for skiing and hiking
- Bora wind: fierce north-easterly in winter - beautiful clear days but dangerous on exposed roads; coastal towns brace
- Best months: May–June and September–October - coast comfortable, mountains open, no tourist crowds
- Swimming season: May–October on the coast; water temperature peaks at 24–26°C in August