Switzerland weather is characterized by a variety of climatic conditions due to its great range of altitude. The higher peaks of the Alps rise to over 4,000 m and are covered in snow throughout the year.
In the Alpine valleys and on the central Swiss plateau which are situated on lower levels, summers can be quite warm. However summer is also the wettest season of the year. Precipitation during summer is heavy and often accompanied by severe thunderstorms.
Similar to other parts of west-central Europe, Switzerland is influenced by the Atlantic and Eastern Europe, and thus the weather throughout the year is variable.
The weather is more stable when Switzerland is influenced by an anticyclone. In summer this creates warm, sunny weather while in winter it may produce either cold and sunny conditions or windy and cloudy weather.
Switzerland weather has been divided into four climatic regions: Canton Ticino (extreme south), the Alps, the central or Swiss plateau, and the Jura Mountains.
The small area of Canton Ticino around lakes Maggiore and Lugano is the warmest part of the country in summer and the winters are fairly mild. It is sometimes influenced by warmer Mediterranean air. Summers are distinctly wet, with the precipitation occurring in heavy downpours. During settled weather it can be quite hot and sunny.
The Alps cover half of the country, and thus there are great differences between the weather of the valleys and the higher mountains. In winter the valleys are usually cloudy and misty with constant frost. However, during settled weather, the mountains are relatively sunny and during daytime it can be quite warm. In summer, the weather can be the opposite: the mountains covered in clouds while the valleys enjoy warm, clear weather. A warm wind known as the föhn can affect the Alps under certain meteorological conditions, as it brings air of very low relative humidity.
The Central Plateau, which is the lowest part of the country, extends from Lake Geneva to Lake Konstanz. Winters are usually cold here with persistent low cloud and fog. Switzerland’s weather in this area is very similar to that of the deeper valleys in the Alps. Sometimes freezing conditions may last for a number of weeks with frequent snowfall. The summers are normally warm but quite rainy.
The Jura Mountains, which extend from Basel to Geneva along the French border, rise to less than half the altitude of the Alps, however the valleys are narrow and the ridges are steep. The weather here is quite rainy and during winter the mountains are covered in snow for long periods. Switzerland weather during summer is similar to that of the Swiss plateau but more cloudy and wet.
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