Zürich features a temperate continental climate with four distinct seasons. Winters are cold with frequent snow and frost, while summers are warm and pleasant, rarely too hot. Rainfall is spread throughout the year, peaking in late spring and summer. The city’s lakeside setting and mountain proximity create a dynamic, picturesque environment for travellers in every season.
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.
Zürich’s climate is shaped by its inland position and proximity to both Lake Zürich and the Alps. Winters (December–February) are cold and often snowy, with average highs around 3–4°C and lows dipping below freezing. Snowfall is common from December to March, and frosty mornings are frequent. January is typically the coldest month, with temperatures sometimes dropping to –8°C or lower. Days are short, with just 1.5–2 hours of sunshine in midwinter, but the city’s festive lights and nearby ski resorts add winter charm.
Spring (March–May) brings a gradual warming, with temperatures rising from 6°C in March to 18–19°C by May. Rainfall increases, and blooming parks make this a lively time for outdoor activities. Summers (June–August) are warm but rarely hot, with average highs of 22–24°C and cool nights. Heatwaves above 30°C are unusual, but possible. Summer is also the wettest period, with June and July each receiving up to 130 mm of rain, often as afternoon thunderstorms. Sunshine peaks at 7–7.5 hours per day in July, and the city’s lakes and rivers become popular for swimming and boating. Autumn (September–November) is mild to cool, with temperatures dropping from 19°C in September to 7°C in November. Rainfall remains moderate, and colourful foliage fills the parks. Zürich receives about 1,100–1,150 mm of precipitation annually, spread over 130–135 days, and averages 1,600–1,700 hours of sunshine per year. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, especially in spring and autumn.
| Average climate data for Zürich, Switzerland | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 3 | 5 | 9 | 14 | 19 | 21 | 24 | 23 | 19 | 14 | 7 | 4 | 24 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | -2 | -2 | 2 | 5 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 2 | -1 | -2 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 63 | 64 | 77 | 82 | 121 | 127 | 125 | 124 | 99 | 86 | 79 | 83 | 1,129 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 11 | 9 | 12 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 12 | 12 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 134 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 184 | 217 | 135 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 | 79 | 191 | 844 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 5 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 21 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 82 | 79 | 73 | 69 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 75 | 78 | 83 | 83 | 83 | 76 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 9 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 8 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 1 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Average UV index | 1 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
The best time to visit Zürich is from late May to early September, when temperatures are warm (18–24°C), daylight is long, and the city is vibrant with outdoor festivals, swimming, and lakeside activities. This period offers the most comfortable weather for sightseeing, hiking, and enjoying Zürich’s scenic parks and waterfronts.
The least favourable time to visit is late autumn (October–November), when Zürich is often chilly, grey, and rainy, with frequent fog and limited sunshine. Outdoor activities can be less appealing, but the city’s museums and cafés offer cosy retreats. Winter is cold but charming, especially for those seeking festive markets and easy access to Alpine skiing.
Zürich has a temperate continental climate with cold, snowy winters and warm, pleasant summers. Rain falls throughout the year, with the most precipitation in late spring and summer. Seasonal changes are pronounced.
Summer temperatures in Zürich typically reach 22–24°C, with occasional heatwaves above 30°C. Nights remain cool, and afternoon thunderstorms are common in June and July.
Yes, snowfall is common in Zürich from December to March. Snow cover can last for several days, especially in January and February, creating a picturesque winter atmosphere.
The rainiest period in Zürich is summer, especially June and July, with frequent thunderstorms and monthly rainfall up to 130 mm. Rain falls year-round, but summer storms are strongest.
Pack warm, waterproof layers and insulated boots for winter. In spring and autumn, bring layers and a rain jacket. For summer, pack light clothes, sun protection, and an umbrella for sudden showers.
Zürich averages 1,600–1,700 hours of sunshine per year. July is the sunniest month, with 7–7.5 hours per day, while December is the cloudiest, with just 1.5–2 hours daily.
Humidity is high year-round, especially in winter and summer. Winds are generally light to moderate, but can be brisk during storms, particularly in spring and autumn.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is July (23.9 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is January (2.9 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 13.4 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is July (14.1 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is January (-1.9 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.8 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is June (127.1 mm). The driest month, with the least amount of precipitation, is January (62.8 mm). Over the whole year there are 1,129 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is June (12.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is February (9.4 days). Over the whole year there are 134.3 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is February (217.3 mm). The months with the least snowfall are May, June, July, August and September (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 844.2 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is February (5.2 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are May, July, September and October (0 days). Over the whole year there are 20.6 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is December (82.9 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is April (68.6 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 76.2 %.
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 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: 6.2 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is January (Average sunshine: 1 h). Over the whole year there are 3.9 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are June and July (UV index: 8). The months with the lowest average UV index are January, November and December (UV index: 1). Over the whole year the average UV index is 4.2.
