Switzerland Weather, climate and geography
Weather and climate
Best time to visit
The climate is moderate but the Alps cause many climatic variations throughout Switzerland. In the higher Alpine regions temperatures tend to be low, while the lower land of the northern area has higher temperatures and warm summers. Overall the hottest months are July and August, though these are also the busiest. Those looking to ski should visit Switzerland between December and April, when snow is most likely to be good in the Alps. If the winter weather is too warm for skiing, which is more and more the case, most ski resorts reach into their bag of tricks and pull out artificial snow. The months of May and September are great times to visit for those looking for sunny and mild days, but without the throngs of tourists.
Required clothing
Warm clothes and rainwear; lightweights for summer.
Geography
Landlocked Switzerland shares borders with France to the west, Germany to the north, Austria and Liechtenstein to the east and Italy to the south. It has the highest mountains in Europe, together with waterfalls, rivers and lakes set amid green pastures. The highest peaks are Dufourspitze, 4,634m (15,203ft), on the Italian border; the Dom, 4,545m (14,911ft); the Matterhorn, 4,478m (14,691ft); and the Weisshorn, 4,506m (14,793ft).
