Austria lies within the Central European climatic zone, though the Eastern part of the country has a Continental Pannonian climate. Following zones can be distinguished: the northern fringe of the Alps, the inner Alpine region, the northern and eastern foothills of the Alps.
The northern Alpine fringe is characterized by a very humid climate. The distribution of rainfall is mainly controlled by mountain features, and the highest rainfalls occur where the mountains are exposed to westerly and northwesterly winds. Rainfall diminishes eastwards, and increases with altitude. In inner Alpine regions the annual rainfall levels out at the European mean.
In autumn and winter the mountain regions receive more sunshine and clear air than the valleys, which are often covered by a layer of fog for days. A special feature of the Alpine climate is the "foehn", a hot and dry wind which sweeps down from the mountains.
From the central Danube region to the east, a more continental climate predominates. The daily and yearly variations in temperature are more pronounced and there is less precipitation. In Vienna for instance, it rains half as much as in Salzburg.
The eastern foothills of the Alps already show characteristics of a continental steppe climate - short springs, hot summers, dry autumns and cold winters. The highest temperatures have been measured in this region.
