Winters in Zurich can be rainy and cold, but snow is not a given. During the coldest months temperatures range from 28 degrees F to 45 degrees F (-2 degrees C to 7 degrees C).
In winter nearly all precipitation above 5,000 feet is in the form of snow, and depths from 10 to 33 feet or more are common. Snow cover lasts from approximately mid-November to the end of May at the 6,600-foot level, blocking the high mountain passes; nevertheless, relatively snowless winters can occur.
Névé is indeed snow, although it is of a more particular kind than just “cold white stuff†(and it is also occasionally called firn). The word comes from a word in the Swiss dialect of French, and, prior to that, comes from the Latin word for snow (nix).
The best time to visit Switzerland is between April and October, though winter sports enthusiasts may prefer December to March. The country has four distinct seasons, each with its own attractions. The spring months of March to May bring Alpine blooms, flowering trees and cows heading out to pasture.
Also, snow falls quite often in Geneva, and that is why you will actually see that snowing occurs at around 20-25% of days. In some rare occasions, the humidity in Geneva can actually reach 100%.
Every year, hundreds of thousands of tourists come to Andermatt and Engelberg in Switzerland. They meet one of the most snow-sure areas in Europe, readily accessible off piste areas, pleasant elevation differences – and two atmospheric villages.
Zermatt, Europe's highest and biggest summer ski resort, boasts a great all-round ski and activity holiday. Above Zermatt, up on the Theodul Glacier, the conditions are wintry 365 days a year and suitable for skiing, snowboarding and freestyling, and you can hit the slopes in summer until midday. So, rise and shine!
Aomori City, JapanBy many accounts, Aomori City is the snowiest place on the planet, receiving around 312 inches of snowfall per year. In general, Japan receives more snowfall than anywhere else, so if you love snow, this is the place to be in the winter.
Inyo National Forest, in the eastern part of California in the Sierra Nevada, which is part of Yosemite (one of the best national parks), keeps attracting skiers and ice climbers year-round. Simply because it is all year round skiing destination.
Kirkwood Mountain, CaliforniaSunny California may seem like an unlikely record-holder for average annual snowfall, but this mountain region just south of Lake Tahoe gets slammed every year. The surrounding mountains and valleys help funnel these winter storms to the area and hold them longer.
The average precipitation on the Central Plateau is between 812.8mm (32") and 1320.8mm (52"). The Jura and the Alps foothills receive between 1219.2mm (48") and 1625.6mm (64"), while the High Alps get up to 2489.2mm (98"). Snowfall ranges between 508mm (20") to 1524mm (60") on the Plateau and foothills.
There are on average 35 days with snowfall per year, usually occurring from November to April.
Average monthly snow in Zermatt
| Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
|---|
| December | 15.7 in | 3.4 days |
| January | 25.2 in | 3.7 days |
| February | 24.0 in | 4.6 days |
| March | 29.9 in | 4.8 days |
The month with the highest snowfall is November (334mm). Months with the least snowfall are June, July, August and September (0mm).
Earlier Instances of Snow in the SaharaThe first incident of snowfall in the Sahara desert town of Ain Sefra was recorded in 1979, followed by December 2016 and January 2018 when the desert was reportedly covered with 16 inches of snow.
Insider's Guide: Top 10 snow-sure ski resorts in Europe
- Tignes/Val d'Isere, France.
- Cervinia, Italy.
- Ischgl, Austria.
- Zermatt, Switzerland.
- Les Arcs, France.
- Val Thorens, France.
- Obergurgl, Austria.
- Lech, Austria.
Within the Scandinavian region, Finland has the greatest number of snow days in Europe.
Andorra has 65 peaks above 2,000 metres so several of its resorts, including the lofty Pas de la Casa and Soldeu, are amongst the most snow-sure. The region has invested heavily in snow-making facilities too, so if the weather doesn't oblige, the cannons will fire up to make plenty of snow to keep runs open.
The Top 16 Biggest Snowfall Totals in North America Season-to-
- Check out the resorts with the most snowfall so far this season…
- #1 Mt.
- #2 Snowbird, UT – 435″
- #3 Alyeska Resort, AK – 427″
- #4 Alta Ski Area, UT – 422″
- #5 Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, WY – 417″
- #6 TIE: Brighton Resort, UT & Steven's Pass, WA – 396“
Méribel, with a base altitude of 1450-1700m compared to Morzine's 1000m, always has snow at village level. Where it falls down, however, is that a lot of its pistes fall victim to sun exposure, meaning the snow doesn't last as long.
The snowiest city in the world, with an average of 26 feet — or eight meters — of snowfall every year, is Aomori City in Aomori Prefecture, Japan. For comparison, the average snowfall in Sapporo, Japan, — which comes in at number two on the list of snowiest cities — is 16 feet, or almost 5 meters.
Best ski resorts for guaranteed snow
- Alpe d'Huez. France.
- Val Thorens. France.
- Breuil-Cervinia. Italy.
- Silvretta Arena Ischgl-Samnaun. Switzerland.
- Sölden. Austria.
- Val d'Isère. France.
- Tignes. France.
- Lech Zürs am Arlberg. Austria.
Ischgl is among the most snow-sure non-glacial ski resorts in the Alps. Most of its slopes are above 2000m and the extent of high altitude terrain is unsurpassed in Austria. It is the resort's exceptional snow preservation, and not snowfall quantity, that gives it its super-reliable reputation.
New European Snow Forecast – Top 10 Fresh Snow Forcast by Depth over the coming week
| Resort | Today | Sunday |
|---|
| Crans Montana snow forecast, Switzerland | 0cm | 7cm |
| Nendaz snow forecast, Switzerland | 0cm | 6cm |
| Avoriaz snow forecast, France | 0cm | 9cm |
| Veysonnaz snow forecast, Switzerland | 0cm | 5cm |
Throughout the year, in Lucerne, Switzerland, there are 21.1 snowfall days, and 660mm (25.98") of snow is accumulated.
Among the warmest places and sunniest places in Switzerland are Lugano and Locarno-Monti in the canton of Ticino, with an average annual temperature of 12.4 °C and about 2,181 hours of sunshine per year. In general, the canton of Ticino in southern Switzerland with Lake Maggiore is the sunniest area in Switzerland.
Switzerland is rated the most expensive country in the world to visit, with Geneva and Zurich being two of the ten most expensive cities to live in. And because visiting Switzerland so expensive, it's easy to see why so many people skip over the country and wait until they are older and (hopefully) wealthier.
Re: Difference between weather in England and Switzerland? Even though the winters are usually colder for longer, it doesn't feel as cold as the UK.
Incomes in Switzerland are higher for over three-quarters of working respondents (77%), and 44% even say it's a lot higher.
How Expats See Canada and Switzerland.
| Rank out of 65 countries |
|---|
| Canada | Switzerland |
| General satisfaction | 16th | 27th |
| Cost of living | 37th | 64th |
| Ease of settling in | 23rd | 61st |
The climate is moderate with no excessive heat, cold or humidity. From July to August the daytime temperature range is 18 to 28 °C (65° - 82° F) and from January to February the range is -2 to 7 °C (28° - 45° F). In spring and autumn, the daytime temperature range is 8 to 15 °C (46° - 59° F).
English is the most common non-national language and is regularly spoken by 45% of the population in Switzerland. English is more widespread in the German-speaking part of the country than in Italian- and French-speaking regions (46% vs 37% and 43% respectively).
Yes, it does snow in Switzerland during the month of March. Different regions in Switzerland receive different amounts of snowfall.
In general Swiss Winter is cold but average temperature depends on altitude and location of certain region. Thus mountainous areas are coldest with frosty -10°C (14°F). Average temperature of northern plains is between -1 and -4°C (30-25°F), central – about 0°C (32°F) and in warmest southern regions about 4°C (39°F).
