The weather in Trieste in January
One year it’s short sleeves and beers by the sea. The next, you’re bundled up in a blizzard. The Karst promises nothing — and that’s why it delivers everything.
Whatever the weather, the Karst and the Corsa della Bora have an irresistible charm. On cloudy days the vast grey sky turns the race into a journey shrouded in mystery, and the mild winter makes it a one-of-a-kind experience. The clean air, heavy with the scent of the undergrowth, and the mystical aura of the Karst make every moment unforgettable.
When the sun shines, the region bursts into a vivid palette of colour. Winter is soon forgotten and the Corsa della Bora feels more like an unexpected spring day: short sleeves in the middle of the day, snow-capped mountains in the background, the blue sea in front of you. When the cold really bites, the Karst looks even sharper, its rock formations standing out in the crisp winter light.
Every kind of weather reveals a new side of the Karst. Every edition is a different experience.
Cold and dry
or warm and humid?
In Trieste, two winds battle it out. The Bora: cold and dry, with clear skies, vivid colours and incredible views of the mountains overlooking the Gulf. The Sirocco: mild and humid, with higher temperatures but overcast skies.
Whether the Bora or the Sirocco wins, it will always be a race of unique beauty.
How to dress?
During the race you may be tempted to stay in short sleeves — but always carry a thermal layer and long trousers. The weather here is all about change: from sunshine to wind in just a few kilometres.
Stunning sunsets over a brilliant blue sea, or leaden clouds against a petrol-blue sea? Either way, the finest landscape there is to run in.
Never underestimate how changeable it can be
This is where the icy winds from the north meet the warm Adriatic winds. The result is a mild climate on mountain terrain — but the Bora can catch you out at any moment.
Historical temperatures: min / max
An edition full of suspense!
It could have been our first edition in the snow — instead, it turned out sunny.
2026 taught us that in Trieste there’s no such thing as a reliable weather forecast. We braced ourselves for bitter cold: 200 km/h winds with snow and ice, and alternative courses ready to go. Two days out, the forecast flips: perfect sunshine and the Bora. The day before, it starts to rain and the temperature climbs.
We can’t make head or tail of it any more! The Bora is pulling our leg!
Overnight the Bora picks up, and the result? A perfect sunny day, and not even that cold.
In short, don’t ask us what the weather will be like in Trieste: you could set off in sunshine and finish in falling snow. If unpredictable weather isn’t your thing, you can register with the option to cancel up to 72 hours before the race… but you’d be missing out on some of the fun!
It could have been snow — instead, perfect sunshine
A textbook year.
When people ask us how to prepare for the race, we always say: you have to be ready for anything. The sea keeps things mild here, it’s true, but winter still has a few surprises up its sleeve.
Day one brought sunshine and a light Bora, with crisp morning air at around 8 degrees, rising to 12 in the afternoon sun. Overnight the Sirocco moved in: overcast skies and slightly higher temperatures. Sunday greeted us with cloud and 12 degrees, reaching 14 on the coast. At around eleven, while the coast stayed grey, it started snowing in Monrupino: light snow that didn’t settle, at around 3 degrees. Then, at about five in the afternoon, rain to round off the day.
In other words: twenty-four hours of sunshine, eight of cloud, ten minutes of snow and two hours of rain.
That’s the Corsa della Bora too: from the mountains to the sea in a single weekend, with a new story for your legs to tell every time.
All kinds of weather in under 48 hours: sun, Bora, snow, cloud and rain
Rain of biblical proportions. An epic edition!
The warmest and wettest day in years. Torrential rain and temperatures between 12 and 14 degrees. An epic edition — like racing in the autumn rain. Anyone who was there will never forget it.
No sun, no rain. And warm.
A hushed atmosphere. The sky — a vast sea of grey — turned the Corsa della Bora into a journey through a mystical landscape. The mild weather and clean air, rich with the scent of the undergrowth, made for a running experience like no other. The mystery of the Karst, heightened by the grey sky, made every moment unforgettable.
The untamed Karst and its surreal atmosphere made the 2023 edition an event of real emotional and physical intensity for everyone who took part.
A bit of everything
Saturday was a glorious, warm day: sunshine, clear skies and a lovely afternoon outdoors at PortoPiccolo watching the ultra-trail finishers come in. Sunday morning was cloudy, with temperatures rising towards evening. A spot of rain at the end of the race.
Bora at 130 km/h!
This edition was held in the “Orange Zone”, with the COVID emergency still in force. Low temperatures, between zero and 6 degrees, with 130 km/h winds and a wind chill below zero. But the Bora sweeps the rain away: crystal-clear skies and unforgettable views — if you can stay on your feet.
Same day: from spring to the depths of winter in just a few hours
Weather in Trieste: different runners, same day, different worlds.