Zurich, Switzerland Climate & Monthly Averages
The climate of Zurich
Snow is a defining feature of the Zurich year - it falls on about 22 days annually. Winter highs sit at 40°F (4°C) with lows of 29°F (-2°C), while July recovers to 77°F (25°C).
Climate quick facts
- Hottest month: July - highs near 77°F (25°C)
- Coldest month: January - highs near 40°F (4°C)
- Decade extremes (2015-2024): 95°F (35°C) high · 8°F (-13°C) low
- Wettest month: May (18 rainy days) · Sunniest: July (12.1 h sun/day)
- Climate type: oceanic
- Annual swing: 19°C between the average warmest and coolest month · day to night: 8°C
- Snow: about 22 days a year
- Months with freezing average lows: 3
- Average humidity: 79%
Temperatures through the year
Snow falls on roughly 22 days a year, mostly November through April. Warmth peaks in July: highs of 77°F (25°C), lows of 60°F (16°C). January is the coolest month, with highs of 40°F (4°C) and lows near 29°F (-2°C). The gridded 2015-2024 daily record for this location tops out at 95°F (35°C) and bottoms at 8°F (-13°C) - decade extremes, not all-time station records. Precipitation concentrates in May - 5.8 inches (147 mm) on 18 days - and thins out by February.
Rain, sun and snow
July is the brightest month at 12.1 hours of sun a day, against an annual average of 8.3 - duller than about 75% of the cities we track.
How Zurich compares
- Zurich sits close to the middle of our dataset on most measures: 51°F (10°C) as an annual average, 50.0 inches (1270 mm) of precipitation and 8.3 hours of sun a day.
Ranked against every city in our dataset, each measured on the same ten-year window.
Monthly climate table
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Precipitation | Sunshine | Humidity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 40° | 29° | 14 | 4.1 in | 4.9 h/day | 84% |
| February | 45° | 31° | 12 | 2.9 in | 6.3 h/day | 79% |
| March | 51° | 34° | 13 | 3.1 in | 8.1 h/day | 75% |
| April | 58° | 39° | 13 | 4.0 in | 9.7 h/day | 72% |
| May | 64° | 47° | 18 | 5.8 in | 9.9 h/day | 75% |
| June | 74° | 56° | 16 | 5.2 in | 11.6 h/day | 74% |
| July | 77° | 60° | 15 | 5.0 in | 12.1 h/day | 72% |
| August | 76° | 60° | 12 | 5.0 in | 10.6 h/day | 75% |
| September | 68° | 53° | 12 | 3.7 in | 9.4 h/day | 80% |
| October | 59° | 46° | 12 | 3.6 in | 7.2 h/day | 84% |
| November | 48° | 37° | 13 | 3.7 in | 5.2 h/day | 87% |
| December | 42° | 31° | 14 | 3.9 in | 4.5 h/day | 88% |
Zurich month by month
Zurich weather in January
January brings highs around 40°F (4°C), lows near 29°F (-2°C), about 14 wet days and roughly 7 snowy days - typically the coldest month of the year in Zurich.
Zurich weather in February
February brings highs around 45°F (7°C), lows near 31°F (-1°C), about 12 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days - typically the driest month of the year in Zurich.
Zurich weather in March
March brings highs around 51°F (11°C), lows near 34°F (1°C), about 13 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.
Zurich weather in April
April brings highs around 58°F (14°C), lows near 39°F (4°C), about 13 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.
Zurich weather in May
May brings highs around 64°F (18°C), lows near 47°F (9°C), about 18 wet days - typically the wettest month of the year in Zurich.
Zurich weather in June
June brings highs around 74°F (23°C), lows near 56°F (14°C), about 16 wet days.
Zurich weather in July
July brings highs around 77°F (25°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 15 wet days - typically the hottest month and the sunniest month of the year in Zurich.
Zurich weather in August
August brings highs around 76°F (25°C), lows near 60°F (16°C), about 12 wet days.
Zurich weather in September
September brings highs around 68°F (20°C), lows near 53°F (12°C), about 12 wet days.
Zurich weather in October
October brings highs around 59°F (15°C), lows near 46°F (8°C), about 12 wet days.
Zurich weather in November
November brings highs around 48°F (9°C), lows near 37°F (3°C), about 13 wet days and roughly 2 snowy days.
Zurich weather in December
December brings highs around 42°F (6°C), lows near 31°F (0°C), about 14 wet days and roughly 4 snowy days.
Seasons in Zurich
Spring (March through May)
Through spring, Zurich stays on the cool side of mild: 58°F (14°C) by day, 40°F (5°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 44 of the 90 days, plus about 5 snowy days.
Summer (June through August)
Through summer, Zurich settles into easy warmth: 76°F (24°C) by day, 59°F (15°C) after dark, and rain falls on around 43 of the 90 days. Daylight is generous - around 11.4 hours of sun a day.
Fall (September through November)
Fall runs cool rather than cold here - highs near 58°F (15°C), nights near 45°F (7°C), and rain falls on around 36 of the 90 days, plus about 2 snowy days.
Winter (December through February)
Winter in Zurich stays firmly cold, with daytime highs averaging 42°F (6°C) and nights around 30°F (-1°C); rain falls on around 41 of the 90 days, plus about 15 snowy days.
Climate questions, answered
Is Zurich cold in winter?
Is Zurich humid?
Is Zurich hot in summer?
What should I pack for Zurich?
Does it freeze in Zurich?
How much sun does Zurich get?
Best time to visit Zurich
The best time to visit Zurich is generally June to October, when warm days, manageable rainfall and plenty of daylight line up. Daytime temperatures in that window sit near 71°F (22°C), with rain on about 13 days a month. For the same question asked the other way round, see where else is warm in June.
Pack for Zurich with a heavy insulated coat, hat and gloves for winter and proper waterproofs rather than an umbrella - wet days are the norm here. July nights average 60°F (16°C), so evenings rarely match the afternoons.
Zurich temperature records (2015-2024)
Derived from ERA5 reanalysis data, 2015–2024. Official station records may differ.