Thun, nestled on the edge of the Bernese Alps and Lake Thun, features a temperate climate with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. The city experiences significant seasonal contrasts, moderate rainfall year-round, and frequent cloud cover. With long daylight hours in summer and picturesque alpine scenery, Thun is a captivating destination for outdoor adventure and relaxation.
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.
Thun’s climate is shaped by its alpine surroundings and lake influence, resulting in four distinct seasons and moderate temperature swings. Summers (June–August) are comfortable and wet, with average highs of 23–25°C and lows of 12–14°C. July is the warmest month, offering up to 15 hours of daylight and around 11–14 hours of sunshine. Rain is frequent, with June and August each receiving about 130–138 mm over 12–13 days, often as afternoon or evening showers. Humidity is moderate, and gentle breezes from the lake keep the air fresh. The lake’s water warms to around 20°C by August, making swimming possible for hardy visitors.
Winters (December–February) are cold and snowy, with average highs of 4–6°C and lows of -2 to 0°C. January is the coldest month, and snow is common, especially in the surrounding hills and mountains, though less frequent in town. Rain and snow are evenly distributed, with February being the driest month (about 46 mm over 8 days). Days are short, with only 8–9 hours of daylight and 1–2 hours of sunshine. Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are transitional, with mild to cool temperatures (10–18°C), frequent showers, and vibrant seasonal colours. Winds are generally light to moderate (10–15 km/h), but can be brisk during storms. Thun receives about 1,000–1,050 mm of precipitation annually and enjoys 1,700–1,900 hours of sunshine per year, supporting lush greenery and alpine vistas.
| Average climate data for Thun, Switzerland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 1 | 1 | 5 | 10 | 13 | 18 | 20 | 20 | 16 | 11 | 6 | 2 | 20 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -7 | -7 | -4 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 9 | 9 | 6 | 3 | -1 | -5 | -7 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 77 | 65 | 67 | 63 | 115 | 113 | 115 | 108 | 53 | 68 | 79 | 94 | 1,018 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 14 | 12 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 12 | 13 | 197 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 190 | 204 | 139 | 48 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 98 | 206 | 901 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 12 | 11 | 7 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 8 | 44 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 86 | 88 | 86 | 82 | 81 | 80 | 79 | 80 | 81 | 81 | 84 | 83 | 83 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 5 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 46 | 48 | 45 | 41 | 46 | 42 | 38 | 35 | 37 | 35 | 41 | 44 | 42 |
| Average UV index | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
The best time to visit Thun is from June to September, when temperatures are warmest (20–25°C), days are longest, and the city is vibrant with lake activities, hiking, and outdoor festivals. These months offer ideal conditions for swimming, sightseeing, and exploring the Bernese Oberland, with lush landscapes and lively local events.
The least favourable time to visit Thun is from December to February, when temperatures are lowest, days are shortest, and frequent snow or rain can limit outdoor activities. While winter is atmospheric and offers access to nearby ski resorts, the cold, damp, and sometimes cloudy conditions may not appeal to all travellers.
Thun has a temperate climate with warm, wet summers and cold, snowy winters. Rain and snow fall year-round, with peaks in summer and late autumn. Summers are lively, while winters are atmospheric and often snowy.
The best time to visit Thun is from June to September, when the weather is warm, days are long, and the city is lively with lake activities, hiking, and outdoor events. Early autumn is also pleasant for sightseeing.
Yes, snow is common in Thun from December to February, especially in the surrounding hills and mountains. In town, snowfalls are lighter and less frequent but still possible during cold spells.
Thun receives about 1,000–1,050 mm of precipitation annually. Rain falls throughout the year, with the wettest months in June, July, and August. Showers are frequent but often brief, especially in summer.
Summer highs in Thun typically reach 23–25°C, with July and August being the warmest months. Heatwaves above 30°C are rare, and evenings are usually cool and comfortable for outdoor activities.
Lake Thun reaches about 20°C in August, making swimming possible for hardy visitors. The water is cooler in June and September, and cold the rest of the year.
Pack layers for cool mornings and evenings, a rain jacket for showers, and sun protection for summer. In winter, bring warm clothing, a hat, gloves, and waterproof shoes for cold, wet, or snowy conditions.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (20 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (0.8 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 10.3 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (9.2 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is February (-7 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 1.2 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is May (115.3 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is September (53.2 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,018.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is May (21.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (11.7 days). Over the whole year there are 197 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is December (206.2 mm). The months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 900.6 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is January (11.8 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are August and September (0 days). Over the whole year there are 44.1 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (88.3 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is July (78.8 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 82.6 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (8.3 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.2 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (48 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (35.1 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 41.6 %.
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 August (Average sunshine: 10 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is December (Average sunshine: 4.9 h). Over the whole year there are 7.2 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June, July and August (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, October, November and December (UV index: 2). Over the whole year the average UV index is 2.8.
