Switzerland Travel Weather

April - May

In spring there is a gradual warming, the daily temperature is between 8°C and 15°C, but evenings and nights are sometimes much cooler. The weather can be capricious and unpredictable, sometimes warm and sunny, and other times rainy. During this period, nature awakens to life, the trees turn green and the meadows fill with thousands of flowers. It's a good time to visit cities or relax at Lakes Maggiore and Lugano, where music festivals are held.

Spring begins earliest in the southern part of Switzerland. In the western part of the country, it's a bit cooler and the wind is strong, especially around Lake Geneva and in Mittelland. Alpine regions are still covered with snow, providing ski lovers with very good skiing conditions until the end of April. Depending on the region, some resorts are improving the slopes with artificial snow. There are also places where snow can be enjoyed all year round, these include Jungfraujoch in the Bernese Oberland, Mt. Titlis near Lucerne, Diavolezza in the Engadin, Zermatt and Saas Fee in the Valais and Glacier 3000 in the Vaud Alps (Les Diablerets).

June - August

The summer months are the best time to visit Switzerland. Temperatures range between 25°C and 30°C, and even exceed 30°C on hot days. Summer is also the period of greatest precipitation, in the south of the country it comes in the form of brief but intense thunderstorms, while in the north drizzle occurs.

The swimming season at the lakes in the canton of Ticino and Lake Geneva lasts from June to September. Summer days are also the ideal time for trekking and mountain climbing enthusiasts. The country offers countless trails for both hikers and cycling escapades. The weather is favorable for sightseeing and touring. In the highest parts of the mountains and on glaciers, long-lasting snow makes skiing and snowboarding possible even in summer in some places.

September - October

You can still count on plenty of sunshine and warm days in September. The swimming season in Swiss lakes is underway. Temperatures reach above 20°C (especially in the south). From October on, it gets cooler and foggier, especially around the lakes and on the central plateau, around Lucerne, as well as Lake Constance and Mittleland. Daily temperatures range from 8°C to 15°C. In the Alps, the first snowfall can be encountered. In autumn, fruits ripen and tree leaves change color, colorful landscapes make sightseeing and hiking more pleasant.

Beginning in October, in the cantons of Geneva, Neuchatel, Valais and Vaud, among others, as well as the Ticino region, the grape harvest begins, accompanied by numerous festivals where you can taste wine and learn how to grow grapes.

In the highest parts of the mountains and on some glaciers, the ski season is underway.

November - March

The winter period is outside the main tourist season, with temperatures dropping to a few degrees above 0°C. From November to mid-December it is usually gray, as rainfall can be quite intense, days become much shorter and less sunny. This is not the best time to visit cities and organize sightseeing tours. Many hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions are temporarily closed or open for shorter periods.

Mountain areas tend to be much colder than the rest of the country, with temperatures dropping as low as -10°C. Winter is the ideal season for skiing enthusiasts. The ski season runs from December to March, and the Christmas and New Year's periods attract crowds of tourists. Snow-covered slopes with hundreds of trails and modern tourist infrastructure encourage numerous winter sports.