Weather in Switzerland in April

How April compares

April is the 7th warmest month of the year in Switzerland. Against London's average high of 13.5°C in April, Switzerland is 0.4°C warmer by day and 1.2°C cooler at night.

Daytime and night-time in April

The typical April day in Switzerland peaks at 13.9°C, but that is an average: the warmest 10% of days reach 20.4°C or more. Roughly 1 in 333 days top 25°C. Nights average 3.9°C; one night in ten drops to 0.0°C or lower, so pack a layer for evenings - it is genuinely cool after dark. Between 1991 and 2020 the hottest April day here reached 26.0°C (2012-04-28) and the coldest night -4.2°C (2020-04-01).

Rain in April

Wet (more than 8 rainy days): about 14 days with 1 mm or more, 104 mm in total. Year to year it varies a lot - the wettest April was 2001 with 187 mm, the driest 2007 with 22 mm. Humidity averages 73%.

Sunshine and daylight

Around 5.1 hours of sunshine a day (estimated from cloud cover), 13.4 hours of daylight: the sun rises about 06:37 and sets about 20:14 local time in mid-April. Average cloud cover is 62%.

Is April a good time to visit Switzerland?

April is not the strongest month here: cool days and frequent rain. The best months for Switzerland on our scoring are July, August, June.

Comfortable for walking, chilly when you stop

The daytime average suits walking in layers more than sitting outside in light clothing. Warmer days can reach around 20°C or above, so keep something lighter underneath rather than dressing only for the chill. The catch is the drop after dark: an average low of around 4°C makes a warm jacket useful for evenings, while the coldest nights can reach freezing or below. Pack trousers, a jumper and a jacket you can take off as conditions change. April suits travellers who prefer cool weather for being active, but anyone expecting consistently mild mornings and evenings is likely to find it cold.

Leave room for rain in your plans

With about 14 rainy days, April calls for a waterproof outer layer and shoes that cope with wet conditions. That does not mean every rainy day is lost, but a tightly packed outdoor itinerary leaves little room to adapt. Keep indoor alternatives in mind and use dry spells for longer walks. Sunshine averages about 5.1 hours within 13.4 hours of daylight, so there is ample daylight without a promise of clear skies. The practical advantage is flexibility over when to head out; the drawback is that bright conditions cannot be relied on. It is a better fit for adaptable travellers than for a sunshine-led holiday.