MinnieC

Hi All -
I am planning a trip to the Lucerne area and then on to Salzburg later in the year, but don't know if August or September would be a better month to travel. I originally had thought mid-September, but I have read about rainy weather in September and wanted to get the opinions of those who have actually travelled during this time frame. I am afraid August will still be crowded and higher in cost, but if it is better than September, I'm open. I realize of course that our lovely weather is fickle, but just trying to get an idea Many Thanks -

NE

MinnieC, we were in Lucerne in late September and the weather was perfect . We love September / October travel to Europe . We find it less crowded and the weather is perfect ... Not too hot and not too cold. We spent a week in Switzerland - Lucerne and Wengen .... It rained only one day .

traveller1959

Mienie, please forget the post above.

Every year, weather is different. It is like tossing dice.

In September, you can be lucky and have sunshine and temps around 25°C, but you can also have rain and 17°C. You never know and weather statistics don't help.

In August, weather can range between 35°C and 20°C and also between sunshine and rain. Probability is higher that the weather in August will be warmer and slightly dryer than in September - but you never know.

I live in Europe for more than 50 years and still every day is a surprise for me. We had Augusts that were perfect and Augusts that were rainy. Same with Septembers.

travelgourmet

Rain is really just a fact of life in Central Switzerland, as are grey days. September is the tail end of the rainiest part of the year, so you have better odds than July, but the reality is that you should assume it will rain at some point during your time there and bring an umbrella and maybe a light raincoat.

As for temps, you will likely have escaped the hottest weather, which is brutal in Switzerland as AC is rare and it can be next to impossible to escape the heat when it gets to the hottest. Temps will probably hover in the 65-75 range for highs, which is much better.

Personally, given how brutal a heat wave can be in Switzerland, I would go in September, rather than August. September is also normally moderately dryer than August.

mokka4

I have traveled to Switzerland in Sept/Oct for about 8 trips. I would say I averaged "pretty good" weather 75% of the time. That said, one year it rained 8 of 11 days(many quite heavily). Still, I would choose September in a heartbeat as I can't stand heat without AC (often tepid in Switzerland IF present).
One of the best weather trips I had there was the first week of November!

kja

For good climate information, check the Weather Underground:
http://www.wunderground.com/?MR=1

neckervd

Weather is always unpredictable inthe Alps. In September, there may be some fog over the lakes, especially before noon. Lucerne is one of the wettest places of Switzerland, but Salzburg is wetter anyway.