The Krkonoše Mountains are the highest mountain range in the Hercynian Forest, situated just above the 50th parallel of north latitude. It forms a natural mountain range, which is battered by the moist and cold westerly winds from the Atlantic Ocean. This translates into high rainfall and snowfall and low temperatures. The climate of the Krkonoše Mountains is therefore wetter, colder and harsher than that of the Tatra Mountain Range or Šumava Mountains and has a distinctly oceanic character.