Destination guide
Switzerland weather by month
June to August is the best time to visit Switzerland for warmer days and longer spells of sunshine, with July and August averaging 23°C by day. September is a cooler alternative at 19°C, suited to travellers who prefer walking without much heat. The catch is rain: even July and August average 15 rainy days each, so summer is not a reliably dry season. Spring needs flexible clothing, while late autumn and winter suit travellers comfortable with cold days and limited sunshine.
- Hottest month
- 23.2°CJuly
- Coolest month
- 4.5°CJanuary
- Rain per year
- 1379mmaverage total
- Flight from London
- 1 h 42 minShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Switzerland, month by month
A little perspective
Switzerland through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 4.5°C | -1.8°C | 2.6 | 89 | 13 | 0% |
| February | 5.8°C | -1.9°C | 3.5 | 84 | 12 | 0% |
| March | 10.0°C | 0.9°C | 4.4 | 95 | 14 | 0% |
| April | 13.9°C | 3.9°C | 5.1 | 104 | 14 | 0% |
| May | 17.7°C | 8.4°C | 5.3 | 142 | 16 | 6% |
| Junebest | 21.2°C | 12.3°C | 6.2 | 143 | 16 | 23% |
| Julybest | 23.2°C | 14.5°C | 6.8 | 146 | 15 | 35% |
| Augustbest | 23.1°C | 14.8°C | 6.1 | 146 | 15 | 33% |
| September | 18.8°C | 11.0°C | 4.6 | 122 | 12 | 6% |
| October | 14.4°C | 7.1°C | 3.2 | 99 | 13 | 0% |
| November | 8.6°C | 2.3°C | 2.4 | 106 | 13 | 0% |
| December | 4.9°C | -0.8°C | 2.3 | 103 | 14 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Switzerland
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: none reach a 25°C average here, so Switzerland suits city breaks and walking more than beach holidays; the warmest is July. July is the wettest month (146 mm, about 15 rainy days) and February the driest (84 mm).
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Zürich Airport (ZRH, 10 km from Zürich) takes roughly 1 h 42 min - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Zurich.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Switzerland between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.8°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -18.3°C on 7 February 2012. In July one day in ten tops 28.8°C and about 5% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to -6.1°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was July 2014 with 302 mm, against a July average of 146 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Switzerland
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:09 | 17:01 | 8.9 h | 2.6 h |
| February | 07:33 | 17:47 | 10.2 h | 3.5 h |
| March | 06:39 | 18:31 | 11.9 h | 4.4 h |
| April | 06:37 | 20:14 | 13.6 h | 5.1 h |
| May | 05:49 | 20:55 | 15.1 h | 5.3 h |
| June | 05:29 | 21:24 | 15.9 h | 6.2 h |
| July | 05:45 | 21:19 | 15.6 h | 6.8 h |
| August | 06:22 | 20:38 | 14.3 h | 6.1 h |
| September | 07:03 | 19:39 | 12.6 h | 4.6 h |
| October | 07:44 | 18:39 | 10.9 h | 3.2 h |
| November | 07:30 | 16:50 | 9.3 h | 2.4 h |
| December | 08:06 | 16:36 | 8.5 h | 2.3 h |
Spring: warmer afternoons, but keep the waterproofs
March is still chilly, with daytime averages of 10°C and nights around 1°C, so pack a warm coat rather than relying on a light jacket. April brings a more comfortable 14°C by day, though evenings still call for layers. May reaches 18°C, making it the better spring choice for spending longer outdoors without summer warmth. The trade-off is that rain becomes more frequent: May averages 16 rainy days, compared with 14 in March and April. Keep outdoor plans flexible and carry a waterproof. Spring suits travellers who prefer mild afternoons and do not mind dressing for distinctly cooler mornings and evenings.
Summer: the best balance of warmth and sunshine
June, July and August offer the strongest weather for a trip built around time outdoors. June averages 21°C by day, rising to 23°C in July and August: warm enough for light daytime clothing, but not the sustained heat some travellers want from a summer holiday. July has the most sunshine, averaging 7 hours daily, yet it is also the wettest month by rainfall amount. A waterproof still earns its place in your bag. Nights average 12°C in June and reach 15°C in August, so bring a layer for evenings. Choose summer for comfortable warmth, not a guarantee of clear skies.
Autumn and winter: September stands apart
September keeps a useful balance of mild days and cooler nights, averaging 19°C and 11°C respectively, with 12 rainy days. October drops to 14°C by day and 7°C at night, so layers become more important and sunshine is less generous. November feels much colder at 9°C by day, with only 2 hours of sunshine daily. December and January are colder again: daytime averages are 5°C and 4°C, while nights fall below freezing. February improves slightly to 6°C by day, but nights still average -2°C. Choose September for milder outdoor days; later autumn and winter are better suited to travellers happy with warm clothing, shorter outdoor spells and plans that do not depend on sunshine.
A little more detail
Switzerland weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Switzerland?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Switzerland are July, August and June. July is the hottest month (average high 23.2°C) and January the coolest (4.5°C).
How many months a year is Switzerland over 25°C?
No month in Switzerland averages a daytime high of 25°C; 3 months average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Switzerland?
July is the wettest month in Switzerland (146 mm on average) and February the driest (84 mm). Annual rainfall averages 1379 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Switzerland?
The hottest day recorded in Switzerland between 1991 and 2020 reached 34.8°C on 25 July 2019; the coldest fell to -18.3°C on 7 February 2012. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
Is there a dry month in Switzerland?
February is the driest month by rainfall amount, but it still averages 12 rainy days. September and October also average 12 rainy days, so there is no rain-free choice. Pack waterproofs even if you choose a relatively drier month.
Will I need warm clothes in summer?
Bring light clothes for daytime, plus a jumper or jacket for evenings. Summer nights average 12°C in June, 14°C in July and 15°C in August, noticeably cooler than the afternoons. A waterproof is useful throughout the season too.
See also: Switzerland weather by month · where else is hot in July
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid), 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Zürich (Zurich). Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C