So what's historically been a good time in the summer to hit two weeks of mostly clear skies in Switzerland? Is it just luck of the draw or for example is the end of July more reliable for clear weather than the beginning of July? Or is it generally better in August or September?
Not trying to predict - just some ideas from those who have experienced Swiss summers.
Thanks!
A season with "mostly clear skies" does not exist. The weather is always a mix. Chances for a longer clear period are best in September. The Golden October phase is also glorious but you never know when exactly it is going to happen.
Really is luck of the draw it was snowing there last week at quite a low level, this week is it sunny and warm!
I live in Switzerland since more than half a century and during this time, every summer was different. As Richiavo told you, 2 weeks ago, temperatures were around 10 degrees centigrade and now they exceed 30 degrees. In other years, they go up to 33 degrees. In some years, July is so wet that the rain water creates small lakes in the fields and in other years, the water is so scarce that local authorities have to forbid to wash cars or to fill water into the swimming pools.
The Cantons of Valais and Ticino are usually dryer and warmer than the rain belt Interlaken - Lucerne - St. Gallen - Appenzell.
October in the Alps (neither in the lowlands, nor in Ticino) is usually rather sunny and dry, but in some years, you will have nothing but fog and snow storms. But days are short in automn and nights can get cold even if the weather is fine.
Edited by: neckervd
One of the things I like about Switzerland is how the weather can differ from region to region. You wake up in Grindelwald one morning to find the sky overcast and the mountains hidden in the clouds. You walk down to the Tourist Office and enquire about the weather elsewhere. They inform you the sun is shining in the Ticino. Off you go to the train and 2 hours later you are in Locarno basking in the sunshine. A few days after that you find out the sun is shining in the Engadine and off you go again. A few days later Geneva is having a heat wave, off you go.
One of the other things I like about Switzerland is the Swiss Rail passes. I have found them to be good value for money, particularly the ' Flexipass'. You buy X number of days in a 30 day period.
So the weather is good wherever you decide to go on the day. Problem solved. All you need to do is be flexible in just where you visit rather than trying to stick to an itinerary.
