Wind and Weather

No other habitat is as exposed to wind and weather as the high alpine zone.

Extreme temperatures and strong winds push plants and animals to the limit.

In the upper alpine zone the average temperature throughout the year is 0°C or less. Minimum and maximum temperatures vary between –40 and +60°C! Strong winds increase the cooling factor. Snow, however, provides excellent insulation against the cold, but in exposed locations is generally rapidly blown away.

The dry climate and barren dolomitic soil do not provide ideal conditions for plant life in the upper alpine zones of the National Park.