AI-generatedBasel at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 25°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,690 h
- Rain a year
- 916 mm
- Climate
- Temperate
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 279 m
Climate in Basel
Basel has a temperate climate with warm summers and cool winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 25 °C, while January is the coolest at 5 °C. With around 1,690 hours of sunshine a year, Basel is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 7.6 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Good forSightseeing & walks
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 7°
- Midday, 13:00: about 15°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 16°
- Evening, 20:00: about 12°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:4718:44
Cool evenings: pack a jumper or a jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:28–08:29 · evening 18:02–19:03
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:16–07:28 · evening 19:03–19:15
Golden hour: the sun between 4° below and 6° above the horizon; blue hour: 6° to 4° below it. Times for the 15th of the month; mountains and clouds shift the light.
What is the weather like in Basel in October?
In October, Basel is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Basel.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 57 min07:47 – 18:44
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 11 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 69 %on averageAll months
- Hot days
- 0 days30 °C or moreAll months
- Snow days
- 0 days1 cm or more of fresh snowAll months
- Time zone
- UTC+2Europe/Zurich
How the score comes together
- Temperatureweight 50 %78 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %8 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %44 %
Each factor is rated from 0 to 100 % and weighted for the travel style “City break”.
What to pack in October
- A jumper for the evenings
- Rain jacket or umbrella
Sunshine hours in Basel
Average hours of bright sunshine per day, next to the length of the day. Tap a month to select it.
In October, the sun shines for about 3.5 of 11.0 hours of daylight in Basel, 32 % of the day.
Sunshine hours: measured at the weather station 2 km away, averages 1991–2020 (WMO climate normals). Daylight is the time from sunrise to sunset on the 15th of the month.
UV index in Basel
How strong the sun is at noon, month by month, and how quickly unprotected skin burns.
- Clear-sky UV in October
- 3 · moderateAround midday seek shade; use sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses.
The sun is strongest in June (UV 8).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 50 min
- Fair skin
- about 65 min
- Light brown skin
- about 90 min
- Olive skin
- about 115 min
Rough guide for unprotected skin at noon under a clear sky; clouds lengthen it, water, sand and snow shorten it. Sunscreen extends the time only partly.
Monthly values: clear-sky noon estimate from the sun's angle, ozone and altitude. UV today: Open-Meteo forecast.
Rain in Basel: rainy days and rainfall
A rainy day is a day with at least 1 mm of rain or snow; the amount is what falls in the whole month. Tap a month to select it.
In October, Basel has about 12 rainy days with 78 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Basel
How breezy and how cloudy Basel is through the year. Tap a month to select it on the whole page.
Wind
Typical daily peak of the wind in km/h: what the afternoon breeze usually reaches, not the gusts.
In October, the wind in Basel typically peaks at 11 km/h during the day: Beaufort 2, light air.
Clouds
Average share of the sky covered by cloud, day and night.
In October, cloud covers on average 69 % of the sky over Basel: mostly cloudy, with about 3.5 hours of sunshine a day.
Wind: mean daily maximum of the hourly wind 10 m above ground (ERA5, 1996–2025). Gusts are stronger, and the model grid of about 28 km smooths out local effects such as capes and valley winds. Clouds: mean total cloud cover of all layers over day and night (ERA5, 1996–2025). Thin high cloud counts as cover even when the sun still shines through.
Heat and humidity in Basel
How often the day gets hot in Basel (30 °C and more), and in which months heat and humidity come together. Tap a month to select it.
Heat calendar
- pleasant
- some hot or muggy days
- often muggy
- often hot
- hot and muggy
In October, Basel has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 16 °C: pleasant. Heat plays no part this month.
Hot days reach at least 30 °C; a month counts as muggy when the mean dew point reaches 18 °C on at least 15 days. Averages from ERA5 and ERA5-Land, 1996–2025. Muggy nights through the year
Snow in Basel
Snow is possible in Basel, but no month makes it likely: the chance of seeing snow during a week's stay, the days with fresh snow and how much falls. Tap a month to select it.
Snow calendar
- hardly any
- possible
- likely
- very likely
In October, it hardly ever snows in Basel.
Snow days bring at least 1 cm of fresh snow. Fresh snow comes from ERA5 snowfall (1996–2025) at the height of the place, not on the slopes above it; the snow chance also weighs whether the snow settles. An estimate from climate averages, not a snow report.
Climate through the year
Long-term monthly averages. Tap a month to see its details.
Nights and sleep in Basel
How warm the nights get in each month, from the mean night-time low. Tap a month for details.
- Frost below 0°
- Cold 0–8°
- Cool 8–15°
- Pleasant 15–20°
ColdOctober: nights around 7°. The room should be heated.
The coolest nights are in January (−2°), the warmest in August (15°). Nights are pleasant for sleeping (15 to 20 °C) from July to August. Nights fall below 8 °C on average from October to April, so the room should be heated.
Temperatures through the year
Average daytime high, night-time low and sea temperature per month.
| Month | Score | Day | Night | Sun | Rain days | Rain mm |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| JanuaryJan | 10 | 5° | −2° | 2.1 h | 13 | 76 |
| FebruaryFeb | 15 | 7° | −1° | 3.0 h | 11 | 64 |
| MarchMar | 33 | 11° | 1° | 4.3 h | 12 | 68 |
| AprilApr | 58 | 15° | 5° | 5.6 h | 12 | 70 |
| MayMay | 68 | 19° | 9° | 6.0 h | 14 | 90 |
| JuneJun | 74 | 23° | 13° | 7.1 h | 13 | 77 |
| JulyJul | 76 | 25° | 15° | 7.6 h | 13 | 78 |
| AugustAug | 76 | 25° | 15° | 7.0 h | 12 | 78 |
| SeptemberSep | 74 | 20° | 11° | 5.3 h | 10 | 66 |
| OctoberOct | 54 | 16° | 7° | 3.5 h | 12 | 78 |
| NovemberNov | 19 | 10° | 2° | 2.2 h | 13 | 83 |
| DecemberDec | 9 | 6° | −1° | 1.7 h | 14 | 88 |
Climate averages 1996–2025, not a forecast. Data: Copernicus ERA5 / ERA5-Land via Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0), NOAA OISST, WMO 1991–2020 (NOAA NCEI), GeoNames (CC BY 4.0). Sources & licences
47.56° N, 7.57° E · 279 m · Europe/Zurich
Best time to visit Basel
The best time to visit Basel is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in April and from September to October. Rain is most frequent in March and from May to August and from November to January; the wettest month is May with 90 mm.
Basel through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Basel in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 11–19 °C by day
- 5 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Basel in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 23–25 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Basel in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 10–20 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 35 rainy days in all
Basel in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 5–7 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 38 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Basel for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Basel
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
July has the better holiday weather in Basel: score 76 against 54. In July, days are 9 °C warmer than in October. July has one more rainy day. The sun shines 4 hours longer a day in July.
| Month | October | July |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 54 | 76better |
| Day high | 16° | 25° |
| Night low | 7° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 3.5 h | 7.6 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12better | 13 |
| Rainfall | 78 mm | 78 mm |
| Muggy days | 0better | 1 |
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Which month for what?
Beach & swimming
No sea nearby
Sea from 21 °C, warm and mostly dry
Sightseeing & hiking
Apr, Sep – Oct
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Mar, May – Aug, Nov – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Snow
Dec – Feb
Snow on 2 or more days
Basel month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
10January5° · 2 h
In January, Basel is cold: daytime highs average 5 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 76 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in January15February7° · 3 h
In February, Basel is cold: daytime highs average 7 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 64 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in February33March11° · 4 h
In March, Basel is cool: daytime highs average 11 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. Expect around 4 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 68 mm in total. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in March58April15° · 6 h
In April, Basel is cool: daytime highs average 15 °C, and nights cool down to about 5 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 70 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in April68May19° · 6 h
In May, Basel is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 90 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in May74June23° · 7 h
In June, Basel is warm: daytime highs average 23 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 77 mm in total. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in June76July25° · 8 h
In July, Basel is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 8 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in July76August25° · 7 h
In August, Basel is warm: daytime highs average 25 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in August74September20° · 5 h
In September, Basel is mild: daytime highs average 20 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 10 rainy days and 66 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in September54October16° · 4 h
In October, Basel is cool: daytime highs average 16 °C, and nights cool down to about 7 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 4 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 12 rainy days and 78 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in October19November10° · 2 h
In November, Basel is cold: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 2 °C. The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 83 mm in total. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in November9December6° · 2 h
In December, Basel is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−1 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 2 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 14 rainy days and 88 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Basel.
Basel in DecemberBasel compared
Put Basel side by side with another destination.
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Basel vs. Mulhouse
In October the holiday weather in Basel and Mulhouse is about equally good (score 54 vs. 54). During the day Mulhouse is 1 °C cooler than Basel.
| in October | Basel | Mulhouse |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 54 | 54 |
| Daytime high | 16° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 4 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 11 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
Switzerland in October: the best places
In October, Basel ranks 7 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Montreux16°68
- 2Sion17°68
- 3Interlaken15°60
- 4Glarus16°60
- 5Vevey16°59
- 6Thun14°55
- 7BaselThis page16°54
- 8Lauterbrunnen14°54
Planning a trip to Basel
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Basel in the school holidays
How the weather suits the usual holiday periods. Dates vary by school and region, so each holiday uses the months it usually falls in.
Basel has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 76) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 10).
- 50
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 14 °C by day
- 5.2 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 69
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 20 °C by day
- 6.2 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 76
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 25 °C by day
- 7.2 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 54
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 16 °C by day
- 3.5 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Good for: Sightseeing & walks
- 10
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 6 °C by day
- 1.9 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
Based on the climate averages 1996–2025.
Getting there
Flying from
- Nonstop flight
- about 1 h 20 min
- Distance
- 720 km
- Time zone
- UTC+2
- Jet lag
- Hardly any (under 3 h)
Estimated from the straight-line distance: 30 minutes for take-off and landing plus 830 km/h cruising speed.
Frequently asked questions about Basel
When is the best time to visit Basel?
The best time to visit Basel is from May to September. That is when the holiday weather score, which combines temperature, sea, sunshine and rain, is highest.
What is the warmest month in Basel?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 25 °C and nights around 15 °C. January is the coolest month at 5 °C.
When does it rain most in Basel?
Rain is most frequent in March and from May to August and from November to January; the wettest month is May with 90 mm. The driest month is February with 64 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Basel get?
Basel gets around 1,690 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 7.6 hours a day; in December there are 1.7 hours a day.
What time zone is Basel in?
Basel uses the time zone Europe/Zurich: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Basel?
A nonstop flight from London to Basel takes about 1 h 20 min, for a straight-line distance of about 720 km.
Which school holidays are best for Basel?
Basel has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 76) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 10). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 50, May half-term 69, Summer holidays 76, October half-term 54, Christmas holidays 10.
Near Basel
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Basel
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Basel's – good alternatives.