Poor weather outlook 10/16-19 Grindenwald
Oct 5th, 2017, 07:36 PM
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Poor weather outlook 10/16-19 Grindenwald
I've been looking at the weather outlook for Grindenwald 10/16-19 and I am reconsidering visiting this part of Switzerland on this trip. I realize there are no guarantees on weather.........rain I'm better with than cold, snowy and possible ice. That said, and already having 3 days booked in Montreux, where would you recommend we go by train from Frankfurt to spend the first 3 days in Switzerland? Zurich? Lucerne?
I'm sure some of you will tell me to stay the course. I have a hotel reservation I can cancel.
What weather site do you recommend for the most accurate forecast.
Thank you!
I'm sure some of you will tell me to stay the course. I have a hotel reservation I can cancel.
What weather site do you recommend for the most accurate forecast.
Thank you!
Oct 5th, 2017, 08:11 PM
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May we assume that you are speaking of Grinde<b><u>l</b></u>wald, in the Bernese Oberland?
IME, lots to see from there, even in the rain -- Berne, Thun, etc.
But Lucerne and surrounds could be delightful, or Zurich (which I think seriously underrated), or the Ticino, or....
If you don't already have a good guidebook, you might find it worth investing in one, perhaps the Michelin Green Guide or Rough Guide. In comparison to the cost of your trip, the cost will be nominal, and you will have a wealth of information at your fingertips.
Good luck!
IME, lots to see from there, even in the rain -- Berne, Thun, etc.
But Lucerne and surrounds could be delightful, or Zurich (which I think seriously underrated), or the Ticino, or....
If you don't already have a good guidebook, you might find it worth investing in one, perhaps the Michelin Green Guide or Rough Guide. In comparison to the cost of your trip, the cost will be nominal, and you will have a wealth of information at your fingertips.
Good luck!
Oct 6th, 2017, 01:28 AM
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Doesn't seem so bad! The average maximum daytime temperature in October is 13°C (55°F) and night-time temperatures drop to 5°C (41°F).
You can expect around 4 hours of bright sunshine each day, and 57mm (2.2 inches) of rainfall across the whole of October.
It's a beautiful place, so buy some thermal socks and go for it!
You can expect around 4 hours of bright sunshine each day, and 57mm (2.2 inches) of rainfall across the whole of October.
It's a beautiful place, so buy some thermal socks and go for it!
Oct 6th, 2017, 11:01 AM
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Thanks to each of you! Sorry for misspelling
Grindelwald. Got the thermal socks, waterproof shoes, down sweater, capilene layering pieces. Love hearing feedback from all of you who have travelled here multiple times or live there!
Grindelwald. Got the thermal socks, waterproof shoes, down sweater, capilene layering pieces. Love hearing feedback from all of you who have travelled here multiple times or live there!
Oct 6th, 2017, 11:34 AM
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Grindelwald is but 20 mins by train from Interlaken - and that only about 30-45 minutes from Bern, a wonderful city and nice in wet weather as many sidewalks are covered in town center.
Keep Grindelwald IMO as yes weather reports everyone says that far in advance are iffy and if foul in dem hills day trip to Bern or do a lake boat trip - some still run and get off at nice towns along the way.
Keep Grindelwald IMO as yes weather reports everyone says that far in advance are iffy and if foul in dem hills day trip to Bern or do a lake boat trip - some still run and get off at nice towns along the way.
Oct 7th, 2017, 12:49 AM
#8
personally I might think of looking for accommodation in Interlaken, where the wet or bad weather options are a deal greater.
If you did it on a free cancellation basis, you could make your decision closer to the time.
If you did it on a free cancellation basis, you could make your decision closer to the time.
Oct 7th, 2017, 06:11 AM
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kja-Thanks for the rec's on guides.
annhig-It's been a month ago, but I did read your entire thread early on in planning and so many people gaves thumbs down to Interlaken. I also read your report upon returning. I realize Interlaken is the best choice for train travel. Also, you did not really care for your hotel. Perhaps I put out a post for Interlaken Hotel rec's. I really like the idea of a pretty chill town to base in and Interlaken sounds like it is teeming with tourists. Many said it had changed so much from the days they loved staying there.
neckervd-why do sites even post forecast that far out if they are "fake news?" I am just a novice at this and trying to chart the best course with the resources I have.
Pal-staying w/ Grindelwald at the moment
.
My reservation in Grindelwald can be cancelled by 6 pm the day before. However, I was planning on buying the German train ticket from Frankfurt-Basel SBB in advance (my Swiss Rail Pass will take over at Basel) as well as reservations on the Global Pass railway on 10/19. I guess I will stay flexible for those until closer to time.
annhig-It's been a month ago, but I did read your entire thread early on in planning and so many people gaves thumbs down to Interlaken. I also read your report upon returning. I realize Interlaken is the best choice for train travel. Also, you did not really care for your hotel. Perhaps I put out a post for Interlaken Hotel rec's. I really like the idea of a pretty chill town to base in and Interlaken sounds like it is teeming with tourists. Many said it had changed so much from the days they loved staying there.
neckervd-why do sites even post forecast that far out if they are "fake news?" I am just a novice at this and trying to chart the best course with the resources I have.
Pal-staying w/ Grindelwald at the moment
.My reservation in Grindelwald can be cancelled by 6 pm the day before. However, I was planning on buying the German train ticket from Frankfurt-Basel SBB in advance (my Swiss Rail Pass will take over at Basel) as well as reservations on the Global Pass railway on 10/19. I guess I will stay flexible for those until closer to time.
Oct 7th, 2017, 07:22 AM
#10
annhig-It's been a month ago, but I did read your entire thread early on in planning and so many people gaves thumbs down to Interlaken. I also read your report upon returning. I realize Interlaken is the best choice for train travel. Also, you did not really care for your hotel.>>
oh dear, foolfortravel, I may not have done it justice then! but I just reread my thread and honestly, i think that I said I liked it! Admittedly it wasn't very central [which may be an advantage] but it was convenient for the Interlaken West station, for the lake Thun boat, and for the Altstadt which didn't seem to attract the same hordes of tourists that the centre did. and as ever, had the weather been better I'm sure that we would have made more of its facilities.
If you'd rather be at the other end of town, nearer Interlaken Ost which is the access station for the Jungfrau region, then the Hotel du Lac looked very nice, and a ironically had more attractive position than the Beau-site.
oh dear, foolfortravel, I may not have done it justice then! but I just reread my thread and honestly, i think that I said I liked it! Admittedly it wasn't very central [which may be an advantage] but it was convenient for the Interlaken West station, for the lake Thun boat, and for the Altstadt which didn't seem to attract the same hordes of tourists that the centre did. and as ever, had the weather been better I'm sure that we would have made more of its facilities.
If you'd rather be at the other end of town, nearer Interlaken Ost which is the access station for the Jungfrau region, then the Hotel du Lac looked very nice, and a ironically had more attractive position than the Beau-site.
Oct 7th, 2017, 07:59 AM
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"neckervd-why do sites even post forecast that far out if they are "fake news?""
I don't know where you found such "forecasts". The official Swiss site never gives forecasts for more than one week. Swiss television usually shows the probability of the forecasts: it's usually around 80-100 per cent for the next 2-3 days and goes then down to something like 50 per cent for the last of the 7 days.
As to the trend for the week beginning with October 15th, all we know is that some humid, but not particularly cold air may proceed up to the alpine area (or not). That would mean, that there might be some rain at some places along the "rain belt" Gruyeres - Bernese - Oberland - Lucerne - Appenzell, but probably rather not in the Rhone Valley between Martigny and Brig. There could be snowfall instead of rain above some 2000 metres along the shadowy Northern side of the Alps, but most probably not along the sunny slopes. The probability for all that is below 50 per cent, however.
I don't know where you found such "forecasts". The official Swiss site never gives forecasts for more than one week. Swiss television usually shows the probability of the forecasts: it's usually around 80-100 per cent for the next 2-3 days and goes then down to something like 50 per cent for the last of the 7 days.
As to the trend for the week beginning with October 15th, all we know is that some humid, but not particularly cold air may proceed up to the alpine area (or not). That would mean, that there might be some rain at some places along the "rain belt" Gruyeres - Bernese - Oberland - Lucerne - Appenzell, but probably rather not in the Rhone Valley between Martigny and Brig. There could be snowfall instead of rain above some 2000 metres along the shadowy Northern side of the Alps, but most probably not along the sunny slopes. The probability for all that is below 50 per cent, however.
Oct 7th, 2017, 10:03 AM
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However, I was planning on buying the German train ticket from Frankfurt-Basel SBB in>
You may want to price at www.bahn.de/en a Frankfurt-Grindelwald ticket and save a day on the pass maybe - maybe not - could very cheap though you are probably too late for deepest discounted fares.
Global Pass = Golden Pass. Nice yes to buy the pass ahead of time but unless it is pre-activated you will still have to go to a ticket window in Basel to activate it - passes can be pre-activated but then are no longer refundable if need come up. For hints on where to go by train if not Grindelwald check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - if going to Lucerne from Interlaken area be sure to take the Golden Pass Brunig Pass route and not the mainline route via Bern - about same time but Brunig (of course has regular trains too) is far more scenic.
You may want to price at www.bahn.de/en a Frankfurt-Grindelwald ticket and save a day on the pass maybe - maybe not - could very cheap though you are probably too late for deepest discounted fares.
Global Pass = Golden Pass. Nice yes to buy the pass ahead of time but unless it is pre-activated you will still have to go to a ticket window in Basel to activate it - passes can be pre-activated but then are no longer refundable if need come up. For hints on where to go by train if not Grindelwald check www.budgeteuropetravel.com and www.ricksteves.com - if going to Lucerne from Interlaken area be sure to take the Golden Pass Brunig Pass route and not the mainline route via Bern - about same time but Brunig (of course has regular trains too) is far more scenic.
Oct 9th, 2017, 07:36 PM
#13
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Pal-The Swiss Rail Pass comes pre-activated so I was not planning on getting off the train in Basel. As it is, I will have one unused day on the 8 day pass, so will definitely use it for this journey. I have not bought the Frankfurt-Basel SBB tickets yet. Is that pretty easy to do at home in US or should I just wait buy in Frankfurt on Thursday? Last I looked, the 8:50 out was 49.90 for 2nd class.
Oct 12th, 2017, 01:38 AM
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SWISS WEATHER FORECST FOR SWISS ALPS (SION-SIERRE, VALAIS)
Today Thursday, Oct 12th: sunny, may be some inoffensive clouds in the evening, temperature at noon 22 degrees centigrade/76 degrees Fahrenheit)
Friday: sunny, 70 F
Saturday: sunny, 68 F
Sunday: sunny, 70 F
Monday, sunny 72 F
Tuesday, sunny, 70 F
Wednesday, sunny, 74 F
Thursday, some sun, some clouds, 76 F
SWISS WEATHER FORECAST FOR WENGEN (BERNESE OBELRAND)
today: very cloudy, 55 F
Friday: very cloudy, 58 F
Saturday: sunny, 63 F
Sunday: sunny, 67 F
Monday: sunny, 67 F
Tuesday: sunny, 63 F
Wednesday: sunny, 65 F
Thursday: some sun, some clouds, may be some rain in the afternoon/evening
Today Thursday, Oct 12th: sunny, may be some inoffensive clouds in the evening, temperature at noon 22 degrees centigrade/76 degrees Fahrenheit)
Friday: sunny, 70 F
Saturday: sunny, 68 F
Sunday: sunny, 70 F
Monday, sunny 72 F
Tuesday, sunny, 70 F
Wednesday, sunny, 74 F
Thursday, some sun, some clouds, 76 F
SWISS WEATHER FORECAST FOR WENGEN (BERNESE OBELRAND)
today: very cloudy, 55 F
Friday: very cloudy, 58 F
Saturday: sunny, 63 F
Sunday: sunny, 67 F
Monday: sunny, 67 F
Tuesday: sunny, 63 F
Wednesday: sunny, 65 F
Thursday: some sun, some clouds, may be some rain in the afternoon/evening
Oct 12th, 2017, 12:00 PM
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Is that pretty easy to do at home in US or should I just wait buy in Frankfurt on Thursday? Last I looked, the 8:50 out was 49.90 for 2nd class.>
Is that a full-fare ticket or discounted one - if so the latter it is train-specific and non-changeable and refundable with $20 or so fee - if full fare then you could buy it at Frankfurt - if in conjunction with flying if discounted restrictable leave plenty of time for plane to be late.
Is that a full-fare ticket or discounted one - if so the latter it is train-specific and non-changeable and refundable with $20 or so fee - if full fare then you could buy it at Frankfurt - if in conjunction with flying if discounted restrictable leave plenty of time for plane to be late.
Oct 12th, 2017, 12:04 PM
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Last I looked, the 8:50 out was 49.90 for 2nd class.>
For what exact date?
49 euros must be a discounted fare as full fare is 80 some euros I see on www.bahn.de/en -discounted fares will not be available often at ticket windows a few days before (or may be I don't know) but to snag that cheap fare I'd buy online and be sure to have it.
For what exact date?
49 euros must be a discounted fare as full fare is 80 some euros I see on www.bahn.de/en -discounted fares will not be available often at ticket windows a few days before (or may be I don't know) but to snag that cheap fare I'd buy online and be sure to have it.
Oct 13th, 2017, 12:35 AM
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A Frankfurt airport - Berne bus ticket for this evening or for tomorrow costs about 23 EUR (7 hrs journey)
https://shop.flixbus.com/search?depa...730.1504795457
Up to Basel it would be 15 EUR
https://shop.flixbus.com/search?depa...730.1504795457
Up to Basel it would be 15 EUR
Oct 13th, 2017, 08:09 AM
#18
The current forecast is about 15 degrees (F) warmer and a LOT dryer than I had at Champex-Lac in mid-September! Also less windy.
(This is from both the Swiss weather site and Weather Underground.)
(This is from both the Swiss weather site and Weather Underground.)
Oct 13th, 2017, 10:14 AM
#20
annhig, yes Weather Ground seems pretty good here in Colorado too, though like any weather forecast it's best at the less than 4 days out range.
I saved their screenshot showing the weather deteriorating on the day I arrived, sunny and pleasant turning to wet and cool for the entire week. That's exactly what happened.
Maybe I'm weird but I felt that the inclement weather made it all the more dramatic. However, I did have proper clothing, which makes a difference.
I saved their screenshot showing the weather deteriorating on the day I arrived, sunny and pleasant turning to wet and cool for the entire week. That's exactly what happened.
Maybe I'm weird but I felt that the inclement weather made it all the more dramatic. However, I did have proper clothing, which makes a difference.
