Zermatt, nestled at the foot of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps, features a cold alpine climate with snowy winters and cool, mild summers. The village is renowned for its long ski season, abundant sunshine, and dramatic seasonal contrasts. Zermatt’s weather supports year-round outdoor activities, from world-class skiing to summer hiking and mountain adventures.
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.
Zermatt’s climate is shaped by its high elevation (1,638 m) and alpine setting. Winters (November–March) are cold and snowy, with average highs around 0–2°C and lows often dropping below -6°C. January is typically the coldest month, with mean temperatures near -3.9°C and frequent snowfalls – monthly snowfall averages 40–55 cm, and snow cover is reliable from December to March. Despite the cold, Zermatt enjoys 3–4 hours of sunshine daily in winter, and humidity is moderate, making the chill less biting than in damper climates. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk at higher altitudes.
Summers (June–August) are cool to mild, with average highs of 17–20°C and lows around 8°C. July is the warmest month, with mean daily temperatures of 13–14°C. Rainfall peaks in late spring and summer, with May to August each receiving 60–77 mm of precipitation and 9–10 rainy days per month. Thunderstorms are possible in summer afternoons, but mornings are often sunny. Zermatt receives about 1,650 hours of sunshine annually, with July and August offering the most daylight – up to 6–7 hours of sun per day. Autumn (September–November) brings cooler temperatures, increased rainfall, and the first snowfalls by late October. Zermatt’s climate is relatively dry for the Alps, with annual precipitation around 640 mm, and the air remains crisp and clear, especially after storms. The area’s weather can change rapidly, especially in the mountains, so visitors should always be prepared for sudden shifts in conditions.
| Average climate data for Zermatt, Switzerland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | -5 | -5 | -2 | 2 | 5 | 10 | 14 | 13 | 10 | 4 | -1 | -4 | 14 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -13 | -13 | -10 | -5 | -2 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 2 | -2 | -8 | -12 | -13 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 30 | 37 | 54 | 114 | 122 | 101 | 102 | 88 | 56 | 105 | 137 | 45 | 991 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 2 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 19 | 24 | 25 | 24 | 17 | 11 | 4 | 3 | 146 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 219 | 281 | 398 | 713 | 347 | 22 | 1 | 5 | 17 | 263 | 871 | 298 | 3,435 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 14 | 16 | 19 | 19 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 12 | 113 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 89 | 89 | 93 | 91 | 91 | 87 | 83 | 82 | 84 | 84 | 89 | 87 | 87 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 10 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 8 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 4 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 4 | 6 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 55 | 59 | 64 | 65 | 65 | 56 | 47 | 46 | 51 | 50 | 59 | 52 | 56 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 2 |
The best time to visit Zermatt depends on your interests: for skiing and snow sports, visit from late November to early May, when snow cover is reliable and the village is a winter wonderland. For hiking, mountain biking, and scenic views, June to September offers mild temperatures, long daylight, and open trails, though July and August are busiest.
The least favourable time is during the shoulder seasons – April to early June and late October to mid-December – when unpredictable weather, rain, and melting snow can limit outdoor activities. Some cable cars, hiking trails, and hotels may close for maintenance, and conditions can be muddy or slushy.
Zermatt has a cold alpine climate with snowy winters (highs 0–2°C, lows below -6°C) and cool, mild summers (highs 17–20°C). Rain falls year-round, but sunshine is abundant, especially in summer.
The best time for skiing is from late November to early May, when snow cover is reliable and the slopes are open. Glacier skiing is possible year-round at higher elevations.
Yes, Zermatt receives significant snowfall from November to March, with monthly averages of 40–55 cm. Snow cover is reliable in winter, making it a top ski destination.
Summer highs in Zermatt reach 17–20°C, with cool nights around 8°C. July and August are the warmest months, ideal for hiking and mountain activities.
Yes, Zermatt is excellent for hiking from June to September, when trails are open and the weather is mild. Always check trail conditions, as snow can linger at higher elevations.
Zermatt enjoys about 1,650 hours of sunshine per year. July and August offer the most sun, with up to 6–7 hours daily, while winter months see 3–4 hours per day.
Pack thermal layers, a warm jacket, gloves, and snow boots for winter. In summer, bring layers, sun protection, and a rain jacket. Weather can change quickly, so always be prepared.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (13.5 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (-4.7 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 3.5 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (4.7 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-13.4 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is -4.3 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is November (137.4 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (29.6 mm). Over the whole year there are 991.1 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is July (24.7 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is January (1.6 days). Over the whole year there are 146.4 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is November (871.5 mm). The month with the least snowfall is July (1 mm). Over the whole year there are 3,434.8 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is March (19.2 days). The month with the fewest days of snowfall is August (0.3 days). Over the whole year there are 113.4 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is March (92.8 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is August (81.5 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 87.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (10.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is August (6.4 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 8.3 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is May (65.2 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (45.9 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 55.7 %.
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 July (Average sunshine: 9 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 4 h). Over the whole year there are 5.7 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 3). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, February, March, April, May, October and November (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 1.6.
