Three climate types are present within Velebit Nature Park: temperate humid climate with warm summers dominates most of the park, temperate humid climate with hot summers occurs on the coastal (maritime) side and Snowy-forest climate affects the park’s highest areas.
Velebit’s position and size create a barrier for air masses: it blocks colder continental air from reaching the sea and restricts warm sea air from moving inland. As a result, the Lika side of Velebit has a colder continental climate, while the coastal side is influenced by a warmer Mediterranean climate.
Wind is a major climatic factor: the bora (bura). A dry, cold northeasterly wind - Bora - is particularly important, forming under the influence of cold northern air masses. Bora is most frequent during the winter months and reaches extreme strengths at passes such as Baške Oštarije and Mali Alan.
According to Croatia’s Climate Change Adaptation Strategy to 2040, climate changes in the Velebit Nature Park will primarily affect annual precipitation and temperature cycles, with additional impacts on snow cover. Expected impacts include decrease in average annual precipitation, increase in the number of drought periods, less regular precipitation distribution, more frequent extreme weather events, decrease in days with snow cover, and increase in average annual temperature by 1–1.4°C
The greatest reduction in rainy periods by 2040 is predicted for mountainous regions of Croatia in winter and spring—meaning this decline will be particularly pronounced in the Velebit area as well.