dmitrch

Hi,
I've checked a 15-day weather forecast (www.accuweather.com) and they predict that the temperature in the Berner Oberland won't be high in the coming days. But what really makes me anxious is that the visibility will not be as clear as I expected. Should their forecast come true then my vacation will go to pot
So, please give me some aliviation and encouraging explanation about what day is expected to be the best in terms of visibility.
1. Rain (I heard it's clear when it rains)
2. Times of clouds and sun
3. Mostly cloudy with a shower
and so on
Thank you very much

ilana25841

I wouldn't worry too much. I have found that when it is warmer, it gets hazy and harder to see. As for rain, we had some rain last summer when I was in Kandersteg, but it always blew over, and it was magnficent watching it blow in (once from down in the valley and once when we were up in the mountain) and blow over. There are a few places that have webcams that you could probably check- sorry I don't have the websites, but it wasn't too hard to google. Have a wonderful trip- it is a beautiful part of the world.

quokka

The weather in the mountains changes quickly. This may mean every couple of hours, and the situation can be completely different one valley further. I would not rely on any forecast that's for more than two or three days ahead.
Have good weather and bad weather plans at hand and decide each morning what to do that day. And ask the locals what they think about the current situation. They know the signs. They know if a little cloud above mountain xy means the approach of a snowstorm or at what time of day the haze from South West usually clears or... It's impossible to tell what the visibility will be like next week. People here seem to believe in weather statistics. These are of absolutely no help when it comes to actual planning. Just risk it and adjust your plans according to circumstances. That's the only way to deal with the weather in the Alps.

ronkala

During our stay in Kandersteg the end of May, beginning of June we had spring, summer, and winter weather. It didn't deter us one bit, we still had a great time. May 28 we woke up to a heavy big flake snowfall. Instead of going to see a local cheesemaker, we checked the Swiss weather on TV, Channel 1, and headed to Locarno instead. When we got back that evening, there was almost five inches of snow on the ground.

During our stay, there was always some part of the country with decent weather that was in our travel time zone.

dmitrch

Thank you all very much

Sure, I alredy have rainy and non-rainy days itinerary. But shuffling them against what was outlined before may cause some inconveniences. For example, after Luzern we will be staying in Grindelwald and Interlaken. It is more convenient to make some trips from Grindelwald, same to Interlaken. But shuffling the start-off points between them would be time-consuming.
But anyway, we will try to be quick off the mark and get up earlier to set out on a rout that was not planned before.

kleeblatt

I use wetter.com. It seems to be the most precise for Switzerland.

It is going to cool down, so bring raingear but you'll still have days of sunshine. We are supposed to be getting light rain, which is good. We've been drenched enough already. Sunday should be partly cloudy... probably a perfect day to be in the mountains.

A ten-day weather forecast is taken lightly in Switzerland. A 15-day forecast is not taken seriously at all.

quokka

The weather won't care what your plans are. Prepare and be flexible.

KenP

I just returned from a four night stay in Lauterbrunnen. Arrived from Paris on Tuesday, July 10th and had to buy sweatshirts due to rain and cold. After two days of clouds and unseasonably cool weather, it turned clear and 80 for the final two days. Spectacular scenery with clear views of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau. Let me know if you would like a couple of hike trail references. Like others have stated weather changes quickly, its all about good luck and timing.

dmitrch

Hello, KenP

I've done a thorough research but anyway would be interesting to know what trails you hiked on.

thanks

KenP

Dmitrch, we based ourselves in Lauterbrunnen. One morning I took the cable car from Lauterbrunnen up the hill to Grutschalp. From their its a flat 1 hour and 10 minute walk to Murren. Walk provides nice views of the Lauterbrunnen valley, on a clear day the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau are visible. Their is a small train that also runs (7 minutes) between Grutschalp and Murren. Second and my favorite walk was the North Trail or North Face walk. From Murren we took a funicular train up to Allmenhubel. From their we took the trail that circled back to Murren 2 1/2 hour hike. Again great views of the entire Alpine range...cows with bells etc.. in addition, near the end of the hike is the cliff the paragliders use to take off into the valley, was fun watching. Last hike we did was the Panarama walk. From Wengen cable car to Mannlichen then walked about 1 1/2 hour to Kleine Scheidegg. Very nice hike facing the Eiger. As it is flat and easy was the most busy of the three hikes we did. From my perspective I enjoyed the hikes on the Murren side of the valley better that the Wengen / Grindelwald side of the valley. Hope this helps.

Ingo

schuler, don't you look at www.meteoschweiz.ch ?

dmitrch

Thank you very much, KenP
These are really great trails. I am going to cover the Murren and Northface trail too...on a bike with going down to Gimmelwald from Murren and further back to Lauterbrunnen with a stop-off at the Truemmelbachfall. The second trail you have mentioned is also on my itinerary with some variation (sort of a round trip from Grindelwald to Mannlichen to Wengen to Kleine Scheidegg then covering part of the Grandmother's trail and to the left on the way to Mannlichen - the views to the Lauterbrunnen valley from there are stunning. And of course to Jungfrau before or after this walk (it's rather a train and a cable car trip than a walk), depending on weather that I hope will be great.
Ingo,
I have checked www.meteoschweiz.ch
and their forecast is different from what is predicted on wetter.com
Anyway, I will check it myself as I will be in Luzern already tomorrow morning.

Good luck

kleeblatt

Hi Ingo,

I haven't used meteoschweiz too much but I hadn't realized that I could also type in a specific location on their website.

Thanks for the tip.