Switzerland Climate

Climate of Switzerland

Switzerland is located in a temperate climate zone, but due to the great diversity of terrain and the influence of air currents, the weather varies from region to region. The presence of high mountains (the Alps) has a decisive influence on the formation of the country's climate, but the winds also cause changes. A warm "fen" blowing from the south brings a significant increase in temperatures, while a cool "bise" from the north cools the air.

The north and west of the country (including the Swiss Highlands, Geneva, Bern) are influenced by air masses from the Atlantic Ocean and dominated by a temperate oceanic climate. Summers are generally warm, but not hot, with temperatures oscillating between 20°C and 27°C. Winters, on the other hand, are relatively mild, the column of the mercury can drop to a few degrees below 0°C, but there are generally no great frosts. The area is quite humid, the amount of precipitation varies between 1,200 mm and 1,600 mm per year, of which in winter it often comes in the form of snow. The east of the country is also under the influence of a temperate climate, but these areas tend to be a few degrees cooler and drier (about 1,000 mm of precipitation per year).

The mountainous areas (Jura, Alps) have an alpine climate characterized by climatic stackedness. The higher above sea level, the colder it gets and the amount of precipitation increases. The average temperature in the coldest month at an altitude of 500 m is -1°C to 1°C, in the warmest 18°C - 20°C. At an altitude of 1000 m, it ranges from -3°C to -2°C in winter, and 13°C - 15°C in summer. At an altitude of 2,500m, the mercury bar already drops to -10°C in the winter months and 0°C - 3°C in the summer months. In the highest parts of the mountains, snow and ice do not melt all year round. The perpetual snow limit is at an altitude of 2,500 meters on the northern slopes and 3,000 meters on the southern slopes. The annual precipitation in the mountain areas is about 2,500 mm and is generally in the form of snow. The cold and snowy weather is conducive to winter sports all year round (including Zermatt, Les Diablerets, Saas Fee).

The south of Switzerland (including the canton of Ticino, Lugano) is sunnier and much warmer than the rest of the country. The climate takes on Mediterranean characteristics and is characterized by warm summers and mild winters. Air temperature in the warmest months reaches 25°C - 28°C. As a rule, there are no harsh frosts in winter, with the mercury column remaining between 0°C and 7°C. Annual precipitation reaches 1,500 mm, and snowfall is not common.