At the north edge of the Alps, an especially humid climate is typical.
The westerly and north-westerly winds which are typical for Central Europe
bring humid Atlantic air masses to the Alps, where they gather, rise,
cool off and lead to precipitation (1428 mm per year in Bregenz).
Lake Constance serves as a heat reservoir and saves the surrounding area
from large temperature fluctuations.. In spring and autumn, the mild climate
in the Rhine valley is supported by the Foehn wind. The often gusty and
hurricane-like Foehn appears when southern and northern winds cross the
main Alpine crest. On the side of the mountain, where the air masses gather
and rise, it rains. On the other side the weather is usually bright and the
air clear, as long as the Foehn blows. The warm Foehn wind has a positive
effect on the vegetation; it accelerates the maturation and in spring the
melting of the snow. In summer, the air in the mountains is clear and spicy
and due to refreshing winds it is never unbearably hard. The average yearly
temperature is 6.2°C in the Rhine valley, in the upper Ill valley only 4.4°C.
In one year, there are 78 days of frost, in Gaschurn and in the Montafon region
147. In autumn and winter, when the Rhine valley is often for days covered by a
thick blanket of fog , high Alpine valleys and mountain peaks have sunshine
and clear air and thus are preferred winter holiday destinations.