Climate and Average Weather in Switzerland
The weather in Switzerland varies greatly because it has four different climates types. The highest areas have an Alpine climate, the medium-high areas a cold continental climate and the lower parts (in the north-west) have a temperate continental climate. The tip of Switzerland which borders with Italy even has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and warm summers.
Precipitation is around 1000 mm (39 inch) per year. Every year there is more precipitation in the western part of Switzerland since it is closer to the Atlantic coast. The average amount of sunshine per year is approximately 1700 hours. As a general rule the temperature drops about one degree Celsius with every 200 meter (650 feet) elevation gain.
The overall best travel time for a hiking vacation in Switzerland is from May to September. The highest temperatures occur in July and August with maximum temperatures around 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Because the chance of thunderstorms is higher in July and August, the period May to the end of June is best suited for hiking or for other outdoor activities.
Interested in more detailed Weather and Climate information?
Please select the city below you wish to travel to, or the one closest to your destination. Each selected city will show you the following graphs:
1. Average minimum and maximum temperatures over the year
2. Average monthly precipitation over the year (rainfall, snow etc)
3. Average monthly hours of sunshine over the year
On certain pages we also offer other historical weather data like humidity, wind speed and water temperature. Booking.com