Cycling weather in the Swiss Alps
The Swiss Alps offer some of the world's finest cycling — Furka, Gotthard, Nufenen — but the weather is notoriously changeable. The divide between north and south sides of the Alps creates sharp contrasts, and afternoon storms can build quickly above 2000 m. Plan every ride with a route-based forecast.
See wind, rain and temperature along every kilometre of your route — not just at the start.
Why a city forecast isn't enough
Checking the weather for Bern or Lugano doesn't help you decide when to cross the Gotthard. The north face might be in cloud while the south basks in sunshine — or vice versa. RouteWeather shows you conditions at every kilometre so you can time your crossing and layer accordingly.
What changes along a long route
- Wind speed and direction change across passes and valleys
- Temperature drops ~6–7 °C per 1000 m of elevation gain
- Rain and storm timing differs from city to mountain
- Your start time determines whether you ride into headwind or tailwind
- Weather windows shift depending on how long your ride takes
Climate overview
| Month |
Temp Day
|
Temp Night
|
Sunny Days
|
Sun Hours
|
Rain Days
|
Precipitation
|
Humidity
|
UV Index
|
Day Length
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 2°C | -6°C | 17 | 5.5h | 16 | 113 mm | 75 % | 2 | 9h 2m |
| Feb | 3°C | -5°C | 18 | 6.9h | 7 | 45 mm | 73 % | 3 | 10h 19m |
| Mar | 4°C | -3°C | 24 | 8.1h | 16 | 58 mm | 70 % | 4 | 11h 56m |
| Apr | 9°C | 0°C | 27 | 11.0h | 12 | 98 mm | 68 % | 5 | 13h 37m |
| May | 12°C | 4°C | 21 | 9.2h | 28 | 232 mm | 65 % | 6 | 15h 4m |
| Jun | 20°C | 11°C | 30 | 13.3h | 18 | 107 mm | 67 % | 7 | 15h 48m |
| Jul | 17°C | 9°C | 28 | 11.5h | 28 | 268 mm | 66 % | 8 | 15h 25m |
| Aug | 19°C | 10°C | 27 | 10.9h | 16 | 185 mm | 68 % | 7 | 14h 8m |
| Sep | 14°C | 7°C | 20 | 8.0h | 22 | 222 mm | 70 % | 5 | 12h 31m |
| Oct | 9°C | 2°C | 23 | 7.5h | 15 | 114 mm | 72 % | 4 | 10h 51m |
| Nov | 5°C | -4°C | 18 | 6.0h | 15 | 112 mm | 76 % | 2 | 9h 22m |
| Dec | 4°C | -4°C | 21 | 6.4h | 7 | 17 mm | 77 % | 2 | 8h 36m |
See it in action
Try example route in the Swiss AlpsFrequently asked questions
What is the best time to cycle in the Swiss Alps?
Most high passes are snow-free from late May to October. July and August have the most stable weather but afternoon thunderstorms are common. June and September tend to offer more settled mornings. Use RouteWeather to check hourly conditions for your exact route and start time.
How does the north–south divide affect cycling weather?
The main Alpine ridge separates continental and Mediterranean climate influences. The northern side (Uri, Bern, Graubünden north) sees more Atlantic weather — cloud, rain and snow — while the southern side (Ticino, Valais south) is often warmer and sunnier. A route crossing both sides needs a detailed per-segment forecast.
Does weather change along a long route?
Dramatically in the Swiss Alps. A single crossing of the Gotthard can take you from rain to sunshine within 20 km. RouteWeather maps the forecast to your GPS line so you see conditions kilometre by kilometre.