Switzerland Climate, the best season for hikes and walks is...Switzerland Climate. Discussing the weather, for many Swiss people, is the ideal topic of conversation when they meet and get to know other people. We like speaking about the weather. Abroad, from experience and the comments that I have heard, many people think that our country is covered in snow throughout the year and this possibly because of the numerous photographs and advertising on Switzerland.
The best season for walks and hikes through Switzerland is certainly between the months of May and October. This all strongly depends on where exactly you’re planning to go for hikes. Spring arrives much quicker in the south (Ticino) of the Alps than in the north. Personally, I have already gone on hikes in the southern parts and enjoyed the sunshine from the month of May. Hiking vacations are great too in southern Switzerland.
The Switzerland Climate, in meteorological terms, is known as a moderate climate. You will not find very high temperatures or lots of humidity in the air as is the case for the countries just south of us. The cold weather is supportable and nothing to do with the very cold weather that you could find further up in northern Europe.
The coldest weather is during January and February, with snow falling right down to the Swiss plain. During the daytime, the temperatures vary between 28 and 45 degrees Fahrenheit. In the springtime, the temperatures vary between 46 and 59 degrees Fahrenheit. Summertime, our temperatures are between 65 and 82 degrees Fahrenheit, during the daytime. Should you be in the mountains during this particular season, think of taking a light jacket or jersey with you. The evenings are quite cool, even in summertime.
Concerning the Switzerland Climate, you will notice that the higher up you go, the cooler the weather. There is a close relation between the altitude and the temperature. Locarno, in the south of Switzerland, is a region that we call “the sun room”, is at 1640 feet above sea-level with a moderate temperature of 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
Should we take the complete opposite, which would be the Mountain of “Weissfluhjoch” in the canton of Grison (centre for the research on Avalanches). The summit of the mountain is at 8200 feet above sea-level. The temperature is always around 27 degrees Fahrenheit!
You can say what you like about the Switzerland Climate but one thing is for sure, once the sun makes its appearance, it is really very sunny. Sunburn is very easily obtained. Especially during hikes and walks through the mountains where the last patches of snow are stubbornly melting in the summer sun. The sun reflects very strongly off these patches and it is advised to wear good sunglasses and to pack in an excellent sun protection cream.
Here, you will find a calculator for the conversion from Fahrenheit to Celsius: Evidently, we also have rain and this all depending on where your hikes take you. Studies have however shown that there is no relation between the altitude and the precipitations. The “Pilatus” mountain gets about 70 inches of rain per year and the town of Visp up to 32 inches. An umbrella or a good raincoat should be, as I can advise you, the base of your equipment for your walks and hikes.
Very particular to our Switzerland Climate, we have a wind called the “Föhn”. This phenomenon occurs when coming from the south, the clouds are blocked in the Alps and forced to cool the region down. This friction then heats up the clouds and results in a southern wind that is very warm. Some people get headaches from this. Every time, when the “Föhn” blows, I am able, from home, to see the Alps very clearly. I almost get the feeling that I can reach out and touch them. The view is so clear.
Just so that you can have an idea of what I am talking about, I have included a link to the important meteorological points, just click here: Switzerland Climate. I wish you a lot of pleasure during your walks and hikes in Switzerland. Think of travel to Switzerland...
|