We have just begun planning a month in Switzerland in July-August. Purpose is to escape the heat, humidity and bugs of our home state. However, Fodor's Switzerland (46th ed.) states "...even early October can prove hot and sticky...." If this is accurate, summer in Switzerland is out. But the statement seems to be contradicted by historic average summer temperatures in most of several cities. Can those of you with summer experience in different areas of Switzerland please advise on temperature/humidity? Since we're also considering a week in Milan, information there would also be appreciated.
Thanks in advance.
JCBD
Summer Temperatures in Switzerland
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Unlikely to be very hot - 70s would be high IMO anytime of year - and early October is never hot and sticky but IME cool and damp with ice often on hiking paths at higher elevations - one September there was even ice in places like Murren and Grindelwald.
Milan of course can be much hotter - anything south of the Alps can be really hot and humid in summer - north of the Alps more raining and cool - rain can set in for days so keep your schedule flexible if ensconing yourself say in the Alps - plan for some day trips to some of Switzerland's fantastic cities.
July/August can be very hot but where? Switzerland can be anywhere between the altitudes of about 290metres and 4600m ( ok you will rarely go above 1000/1500 metres unless you take cablecars.)
Personally I don't remember a "hot & sticky" October, in Geneva and other areas. It has been, if anything, warm and pleasant when sunny. It can get hot and uncomfortable but that's JUL/AUG and in lower altitudes. If you choose to go to mountains areas it will be easier to avoid such high tempreture even in mid-summer. Imagine staying in a mountain village at the hight of 1000/1500 m.
If you need to avoid heat/humidity, do not go to Milan. I have been there in JUL/AUG for a couple of times. Never had such heat/humidity anywhere in Switzerland. But I'm fairly resistant to heat, I guess. I still liked visiting Milan.
Geneva is I believe much warmer than most of Switzerland - they get the warm air blowing up the Rhone Valley - believe me you will not swelter in most of Switzerland but may be wearing sweaters, etc.
Hi JCBD,
I spent 11 days in the village of Gstaad (about 1,000 m) last August. I needed a sweater/jacket in the mornings and evenings, but I was fine with sleeveless tops in the middle of the day while out hiking.
If you go to a mountain village that is higher, it will probably be cooler; if you go lower (Montreux/Vevey or Lugano/Locarno), it will be warner.
Of course, there can be a heat wave or a cold wave anywhere, and there's no telling when/where that can happen!
s
swandav2000 says it pretty much how it is. I am Swiss, and I never thought of Switzerland as being tropical or too hot. The weather can be very unpredictable. Last year, summer was one long rainy season, and even though that is not common, it can happen. Following a few statistics:
http://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/web/en/climate/swiss_climate/swiss_climate_overview.html
http://www.currentresults.com/Weather/Switzerland/humidity-annual.php