Grindelwald has a classic Alpine climate with cold, snowy winters and mild, rainy summers. Winter lows can reach -10°C, while summer highs average 10–18°C. Rain and snow are common year-round, with the wettest months in spring and early summer. Sunshine is most abundant from June to August, making Grindelwald a year-round destination for outdoor adventure.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
Grindelwald’s climate is shaped by its mountainous location in the Bernese Alps, resulting in pronounced seasonal contrasts and abundant precipitation. Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs of -1°C to 4°C and lows often dropping to -10°C. Snowfall is frequent and heavy, especially in January and February, transforming the region into a winter sports paradise. Days are short, with just 8–9 hours of daylight, and winds can be brisk, peaking at around 15 km/h in January. Humidity remains high, often above 80%.
Summers (June–August) are mild and humid, with average highs of 10–18°C and lows around 7–10°C. This is the wettest period, with up to 22 rainy days in July and frequent afternoon showers, but also the sunniest, with up to 15–16 hours of daylight in June. The lush green landscapes and blooming wildflowers make this a popular time for hiking, biking, and scenic cable car rides. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with temperatures ranging from 0°C to 12°C in spring and 2°C to 8°C in autumn. May is the rainiest month, while September is the driest. Weather can change rapidly, so packing layers and rain gear is essential. Grindelwald receives over 1,200 mm of precipitation annually, with snow possible from October to May.
| Average climate data for Grindelwald, Switzerland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -3 | -3 | 0 | 4 | 7 | 13 | 15 | 16 | 11 | 7 | 2 | -2 | 16 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -12 | -12 | -9 | -5 | -2 | 3 | 6 | 5 | 3 | -2 | -6 | -11 | -12 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 55 | 53 | 69 | 69 | 116 | 110 | 108 | 101 | 50 | 60 | 63 | 77 | 932 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 4 | 4 | 11 | 17 | 22 | 22 | 23 | 21 | 16 | 12 | 10 | 7 | 169 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 393 | 383 | 349 | 185 | 56 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 75 | 289 | 429 | 2,166 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 19 | 18 | 17 | 9 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 11 | 15 | 97 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 91 | 91 | 92 | 91 | 92 | 86 | 83 | 84 | 85 | 85 | 89 | 88 | 88 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 3 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 59 | 63 | 62 | 59 | 64 | 55 | 51 | 48 | 50 | 49 | 56 | 57 | 56 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
The best time to visit Grindelwald depends on your interests. For hiking and outdoor activities, June to September offers mild temperatures (10–18°C), long daylight, and lush landscapes. For skiing and snow sports, December to March is ideal, with reliable snowfall and a festive alpine atmosphere. Early autumn is also great for fewer crowds and golden scenery.
The least favourable time to visit is late autumn (late October–November), when many cable cars and attractions close for maintenance, weather is cool and damp (2–8°C), and days are short. Early spring (March) can also be muddy, with lingering snow and limited hiking options, though it’s quieter and less expensive.
Grindelwald has cold, snowy winters (highs -1°C to 4°C, lows to -10°C) and mild, rainy summers (highs 10–18°C). Rain and snow are common year-round, with the wettest months in spring and early summer.
Snow is frequent from December to March, but can fall from October to May. January and February see the heaviest snowfall, making this period perfect for skiing and winter sports.
June to August are the sunniest months, with up to 15–16 hours of daylight and 8–9 hours of sunshine daily. Even in summer, afternoon rain showers are common, so pack accordingly.
Grindelwald receives over 1,200 mm of precipitation annually. May is the wettest month, with up to 117 mm of rain, while September is the driest. Rain and snow are possible in any season.
Pack thermal layers, a waterproof jacket, sturdy boots, and sun protection. Even in summer, evenings can be cool and rain is frequent. In winter, bring gloves, a hat, and snow gear for outdoor activities.
Yes, June to September is best for hiking, with mild temperatures and lush scenery. Trails may be muddy in spring or closed in late autumn for maintenance, so always check conditions before heading out.
Most attractions are open in summer and winter, but some cable cars and mountain facilities close for maintenance in late autumn (October–November) and early spring. Check schedules before planning your trip.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is August (15.7 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-2.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 5.7 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (5.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-12.2 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -3.5 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (116.5 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (49.9 mm). Over the whole year there are 932.5 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (23.4 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (4.2 days). Over the whole year there are 169.5 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (429.2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are July and August (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 2,166 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (19 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is August (0 days). Over the whole year there are 97.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (92.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (83.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 88 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (8.8 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (5.8 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.4 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is May (63.9 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (47.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 56.2 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is June (Average daylight: 15.1 h). The month with the shortest days, so the least daylight, is December (Average daylight: 8.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.8 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is June (Average sunshine: 8.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 3 h). Over the whole year there are 5.6 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, March, April, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.
