Sommerberg seasons

Winter is a time of hibernation for many animals and also for some of the villagers as the main tourist season is finished. However Sommerberg usually gets a fair amount of snow each year between January and March. At this altitude the snowfall tends to be heavier than in the valley and this is good news for skiers and winter tourists.

It is often very cold during these months with weeks of temperatures below zero but usually it is a comfortable dry cold with clear blue skies. During this period many of the forest tracks can be impassable without skis or snow shoes. However the main roads through the forest tend to be ploughed clear or 4x4 vehicle have compacted the snow making progress possible on foot.

Spring flowers

The change from winter to spring can be sudden, often happening within a week. Usually at the end of March the snow melts and then there is an explosion of colour as daffodils bloom, trees sprout green shoots and the first butterflies take to the air. By the time April arrives it is possible to have summer temperatures but the weather can be unpredictable too.

Ferns and thunderstorms

Summer tends to be the thunderstorm season and they can appear frequently and often abruptly. The occasional storm can be quite violent with hailstones large enough to break windows, canopies and dent car bodywork. At the height of summer (July-August) it can be pretty warm with temperatures in the high twenties or even low thirties (C). On hot days the forest is buzzing and resonates with birdcalls and the sound of insects, especially crickets. The noise is reminiscent of a tropical rainforests albeit with the volume turned down. The sky can be a deep blue, a colour rarely experienced at lower altitudes. On other days low clouds may envelop the hill leaving the sunlight to filter through creating an ethereal quality to the atmosphere. Summer can linger on well into October so that the change to autumn colours does not start before then.

The colours of autumn

Autumn produces a stunning array of rich colours and piles of leaves to wade through. Meanwhile the squirrels busy themselves with collecting nuts for their winter hibernation. This is the mushroom picking season and experienced pickers can find many edible types. Spotting the different types is a rewarding pastime but collecting them for eating should be left to the experts as there are many poisonous mushrooms such as the ones shown above. The first snow can appear in October but it does not stay for long, as the temperatures are usually still quite comfortable.

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