Brief Review

Regional Differences

Each of Switzerland’s three geographic regions has a distinct climate.

The Plateau receives both the cool wet winds coming from the Atlantic Ocean and the warm dry climate appearing from the east. It enjoys over 1700 hours of sun annually. Average annual rainfall is between 80cm near the Jura and 140cm near the Alps. In winter there can be very little wind, causing a build-up of cold air on the Plateau with warmer air above, creating a ceiling of high fog called the nebelmeer (Sea of Clouds) which can last for days and weeks at a time.

The Jura, being at a higher altitude, has a cooler climate, strong winds, and more rainfall than the Plateau.

The Alps have the highest precipitation levels and the weather can be very fickle. One side of the mountain may be sunny and warm while the other is rainy and cold. The weather can change from one hour to another, so if you go out in the morning and meet with a cloudless sky, you still may want to carry your umbrella.

The bise, a cold, northerly wind, dominates in the winter, and the foehn, a warm, dry southeasterly wind, governs the rest of the year.