City, Switzerland
Zurich weather by month and the best time to visit
When to go to Zurich
Jun–Aug for lake and river swimming; Dec brings Christmas markets. Winters are grey and foggy; Zurich is pricey all year, with hotels peaking during events.
Zurich weather by month
Average daily high, rainfall and conditions.
- Jan3°94 mm
- Feb5°73 mm
- Mar10°91 mm
- Apr15°91 mm
- May19°141 mm
- Jun22°139 mm
- Jul24°144 mm
- Aug24°146 mm
- Sep19°103 mm
- Oct15°100 mm
- Nov8°87 mm
- Dec4°102 mm
Monthly averages
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Humidity | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C38°F | -3°C27°F | 94 mm | 88% | Cold |
| February | 5°C40°F | -3°C27°F | 73 mm | 86% | Cold |
| March | 10°C49°F | 1°C34°F | 91 mm | 82% | Cold |
| April | 15°C58°F | 5°C41°F | 91 mm | 79% | Cool |
| May | 19°C65°F | 9°C49°F | 141 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
| June | 22°C72°F | 14°C56°F | 139 mm | 78% | Pleasant |
| July | 24°C75°F | 15°C59°F | 144 mm | 77% | Pleasant |
| August | 24°C74°F | 15°C59°F | 146 mm | 79% | Pleasant |
| September | 19°C67°F | 11°C51°F | 103 mm | 82% | Pleasant |
| October | 15°C59°F | 6°C44°F | 100 mm | 85% | Cool |
| November | 8°C47°F | 2°C35°F | 87 mm | 88% | Cold |
| December | 4°C39°F | -2°C29°F | 102 mm | 88% | Cold |
Best months across Switzerland
| Place | Best months | Warmest month |
|---|---|---|
| Zurich | May–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Geneva | May–Sep | Jul (27°C) |
| Lucerne | May–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Interlaken | Jun–Sep | Jul (25°C) |
| Zermatt | Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep | Jul (19°C) |
| Bern | May–Sep | Jul (24°C) |
| Basel | May–Sep | Jul (25°C) |
| Lausanne | May–Sep | Jul (26°C) |
| Lugano | Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (28°C) |
| Grindelwald | Jan–Feb, Jun–Sep | Jul (22°C) |
| St. Moritz | Jan–Mar, Jul–Sep | Jul (18°C) |
| Montreux | May–Jun, Sep–Oct | Jul (26°C) |
Quick answers
What is the best month to visit Zurich?
May–Sep. Jun–Aug for lake and river swimming; Dec brings Christmas markets. Winters are grey and foggy; Zurich is pricey all year, with hotels peaking during events.
When is the rainy season in Zurich?
Rain peaks in August with about 146 mm. No month averages 150 mm or more.
What is the hottest month in Zurich?
July, with average highs of 24°C (75°F).
How cold does Zurich get?
The coolest nights are in January, averaging -3°C (27°F).
More about Zurich
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Sources
Climate averages are modelled from NASA POWER (MERRA-2) for 2001–2020 at about 50 km resolution, so coasts and valleys can differ a little. Temperatures are adjusted by 0.9°C for the city's elevation. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.