AI-generatedZurich at a glance
- Best time
- May – Sep
- Warmest month
- Jul · 24°
- Sunshine a year
- 1,690 h
- Rain a year
- 1,117 mm
- Climate
- Maritime
- Time zone
- UTC+1 / UTC+2
- Elevation
- 429 m
Climate in Zurich
Zurich has a maritime climate with moderate summers and cool, often grey winters. July is the warmest month with average highs of 24 °C, while January is the coolest at 4 °C. With around 1,690 hours of sunshine a year, Zurich is moderately sunny; July is the sunniest month with 7.4 hours a day.
Holiday weather through the year
Weather in October
Holiday weather in October
Fair
Best time to visit: May – September
Keep in mindFrequent rain
A typical day in October
- Morning, 08:00: about 7°
- Midday, 13:00: about 14°
- Afternoon, 16:00: about 15°
- Evening, 20:00: about 11°
- Night, 23:00: about 10°
07:4218:40
Cold evenings: bring a warm jacket.
Estimated from the average high and low: coolest around sunrise, warmest in mid-afternoon.
Light for photos in October
- Golden hour
- Morning 07:24–08:24 · evening 17:58–18:59
- Blue hour
- Morning 07:12–07:24 · evening 18:59–19:11
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 Zurich in October?
In October, Zurich is cool: daytime highs average 15 °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 84 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Zurich.
More details for October
- Daylight
- 10 h 58 min07:42 – 18:40
- UV index
- 3 · moderateclear sky, noon (estimate)All months
- Muggy days
- 0 daysdew point 18 °C or moreAll months
- Wind
- 10 km/haverage daily peakAll months
- Cloud cover
- 68 %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 %67 %
- Sunshineweight 20 %8 %
- Few rainy daysweight 30 %41 %
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 Zurich
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 Zurich, 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 Zurich
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 9).
Minutes until sunburn in October
- Very fair skin
- about 50 min
- Fair skin
- about 60 min
- Light brown skin
- about 85 min
- Olive skin
- about 110 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 Zurich: 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, Zurich has about 12 rainy days with 84 mm of rain in total.
Wind and clouds in Zurich
How breezy and how cloudy Zurich 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 Zurich typically peaks at 10 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 68 % of the sky over Zurich: 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 Zurich
How often the day gets hot in Zurich (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, Zurich has about 0 hot days, with an average daytime high of 15 °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 Zurich
Snow is possible in Zurich, 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 Zurich.
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 Zurich
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 July (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 | 12 | 4° | −2° | 1.9 h | 13 | 80 |
| FebruaryFeb | 16 | 6° | −2° | 3.1 h | 11 | 67 |
| MarchMar | 27 | 10° | 1° | 4.6 h | 13 | 78 |
| AprilApr | 53 | 14° | 5° | 5.9 h | 12 | 82 |
| MayMay | 66 | 18° | 9° | 6.2 h | 16 | 116 |
| JuneJun | 69 | 22° | 13° | 6.9 h | 15 | 112 |
| JulyJul | 71 | 24° | 15° | 7.4 h | 15 | 117 |
| AugustAug | 72 | 24° | 15° | 7.0 h | 14 | 115 |
| SeptemberSep | 73 | 19° | 11° | 5.5 h | 11 | 88 |
| OctoberOct | 47 | 15° | 7° | 3.5 h | 12 | 84 |
| NovemberNov | 13 | 8° | 2° | 2.0 h | 13 | 87 |
| DecemberDec | 9 | 5° | −1° | 1.5 h | 14 | 90 |
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
47.37° N, 8.55° E · 429 m · Europe/Zurich
Best time to visit Zurich
The best time to visit Zurich is from May to September. For sightseeing, day trips and hiking, conditions are most comfortable in September. Rain is most frequent from March to August and from October to January; the wettest month is July with 117 mm.
Zurich through the seasons
How the weather changes over the seasons, with averages for each.
Zurich in spring
Mar – May
Fair
- 10–18 °C by day
- 6 h of sun a day
- 41 rainy days in all
Zurich in summer
Jun – Aug
Good
- 22–24 °C by day
- 7 h of sun a day
- 45 rainy days in all
Zurich in autumn
Sep – Nov
Fair
- 8–19 °C by day
- 4 h of sun a day
- 36 rainy days in all
Zurich in winter
Dec – Feb
Poor
- 4–6 °C by day
- 2 h of sun a day
- 37 rainy days in all
Find your perfect month
Tell us what you like and we rate every month in Zurich for you.
Your best months: June – August
Based on the climate averages; tap a month to see its details.
Compare two months in Zurich
Pick two months to see how the weather differs. A tick marks the clearly better value; for temperatures it depends on your plans.
September has the better holiday weather in Zurich: score 73 against 47. In September, days are 4 °C warmer than in October. September has one rainy day fewer. The sun shines 2 hours longer a day in September.
| Month | October | September |
|---|---|---|
| Weather score | 47 | 73better |
| Day high | 15° | 19° |
| Night low | 7° | 11° |
| Sunshine | 3.5 h | 5.5 hbetter |
| Rainy days | 12 | 11better |
| Rainfall | 84 mm | 88 mm |
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
Sep
15–28 °C and not too much rain
Rainy months
Mar – Aug, Oct – Jan
12 or more rainy days
Snow
Nov – Mar
Snow on 2 or more days
Zurich month by month
The typical weather for every month at a glance.
12January4° · 2 h
In January, Zurich is cold: daytime highs average 4 °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 80 mm in total. Snow falls on about 5 days. All in all, January is not an ideal month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in January16February6° · 3 h
In February, Zurich is cold: daytime highs average 6 °C, and nights often drop below freezing (−2 °C). The sun is scarce, with only about 3 hours a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 67 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, February is not an ideal month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in February27March10° · 5 h
In March, Zurich is cool: daytime highs average 10 °C, and nights cool down to about 1 °C. Expect around 5 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 13 rainy days and 78 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, March is not an ideal month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in March53April14° · 6 h
In April, Zurich is cool: daytime highs average 14 °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 82 mm in total. All in all, April is a so-so month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in April66May18° · 6 h
In May, Zurich is mild: daytime highs average 18 °C, and nights cool down to about 9 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. It rains often – on about 16 days, adding up to 116 mm. All in all, May is a good month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in May69June22° · 7 h
In June, Zurich is warm: daytime highs average 22 °C, and nights cool down to about 13 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 112 mm. All in all, June is a good month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in June71July24° · 7 h
In July, Zurich is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 15 days, adding up to 117 mm. All in all, July is a good month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in July72August24° · 7 h
In August, Zurich is warm: daytime highs average 24 °C, and nights cool down to about 15 °C. The sun shines for around 7 hours a day. It rains often – on about 14 days, adding up to 115 mm. All in all, August is a good month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in August73September19° · 6 h
In September, Zurich is mild: daytime highs average 19 °C, and nights cool down to about 11 °C. Expect around 6 hours of sunshine a day. Rain is frequent, with about 11 rainy days and 88 mm in total. All in all, September is a good month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in September47October15° · 4 h
In October, Zurich is cool: daytime highs average 15 °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 84 mm in total. All in all, October is a so-so month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in October13November8° · 2 h
In November, Zurich is cold: daytime highs average 8 °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 87 mm in total. Snow falls on about 3 days. All in all, November is not an ideal month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in November9December5° · 2 h
In December, Zurich is cold: daytime highs average 5 °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 90 mm in total. Snow falls on about 4 days. All in all, December is not an ideal month for a holiday in Zurich.
Zurich in DecemberZurich compared
Put Zurich side by side with another destination.
No destination found
Zurich vs. Winterthur
In October the holiday weather in Zurich and Winterthur is about equally good (score 47 vs. 47). During the day it is about as warm in Winterthur as in Zurich. Winterthur gets one hour less sunshine a day.
| in October | Zurich | Winterthur |
|---|---|---|
| Holiday score | 47 | 47 |
| Daytime high | 15° | 15° |
| Sunshine | 4 h | 3 h |
| Rainy days | 12 | 12 |
| Best time | May – Sep | May – Sep |
Through the year
Switzerland in October: the best places
In October, Zurich ranks 20 among the 31 nearest destinations in this country.
- Locarno17°69
- 2Bellinzona17°69
- 3Glarus16°60
- 4Interlaken15°60
- 5Chur15°60
- 6Thun14°55
- 7Basel16°54
- 8Lauterbrunnen14°54
- 20ZurichThis page15°47
Planning a trip to Zurich
Weather for your travel dates
Pick your arrival and length of stay, and we sum up the weather to expect.
Zurich 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.
Zurich has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 72) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 11).
- 45
Easter holidays
Mar – Apr
Fair
- 13 °C by day
- 5.5 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain, Snow
- 67
May half-term
May – Jun
Good
- 19 °C by day
- 6.3 h of sun a day
- 15 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 72
Summer holidays
Jul – Aug
GoodBest holidays
- 24 °C by day
- 7.1 h of sun a day
- 14 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 47
October half-term
Oct
Fair
- 15 °C by day
- 3.5 h of sun a day
- 12 rainy days a month
Keep in mind: Frequent rain
- 11
Christmas holidays
Dec – Jan
Poor
- 5 °C by day
- 1.7 h of sun a day
- 13 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 25 min
- Distance
- 790 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 Zurich
When is the best time to visit Zurich?
The best time to visit Zurich 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 Zurich?
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 24 °C and nights around 15 °C. January is the coolest month at 4 °C.
When does it rain most in Zurich?
Rain is most frequent from March to August and from October to January; the wettest month is July with 117 mm. The driest month is February with 67 mm.
How many hours of sunshine does Zurich get?
Zurich gets around 1,690 hours of sunshine a year. The sunniest month is July with 7.4 hours a day; in December there are 1.5 hours a day.
What time zone is Zurich in?
Zurich uses the time zone Europe/Zurich: UTC+1 in January and UTC+2 in July.
How long is the flight from London to Zurich?
A nonstop flight from London to Zurich takes about 1 h 25 min, for a straight-line distance of about 790 km.
Which school holidays are best for Zurich?
Zurich has its best school-holiday weather during the summer holidays (score 72) and its weakest during the Christmas holidays (score 11). Holiday ratings (0–100): Easter holidays 45, May half-term 67, Summer holidays 72, October half-term 47, Christmas holidays 11.
Near Zurich
Other destinations close by.
Places with a climate like Zurich
Destinations whose weather through the year is closest to Zurich's – good alternatives.