Thunderstorms end June in Lucerne and Zermatt?
A traveler named Lndboudart is worried about their upcoming trip to Switzerland from June 30th, with plans for three nights in Lucerne, Interlaken, and Zermatt. They are concerned about 80% chances of thunderstorms affecting their outdoor activities like mountain trips and hiking, and are seeking advice on whether to proceed with their plans or postpone until next year.
- Weather forecasts more than a few days ahead aren't very reliable; check the weather closer to your travel dates to adapt plans as needed.
- Typical summer weather in Switzerland can be sunny in the mornings with thunderstorms in the afternoons, so you might still have time outdoors.
- Switzerland has microclimates, meaning conditions can vary greatly within short distances, so don’t let long-range forecasts discourage you.
- Be prepared with rain gear and hiking boots but remain flexible with your schedule for day-to-day adjustments.
AI-generated summary-
Hi there-
My family and I arrive on June 30th and plan on 3 nights in Lucerne, 3 in Interlaken and 3 in Zermatt. If I look at the weather predictions for all 3 towns for those days right now, I consistently see 80% chance of thunderstorms every day. As most of our activities are centered around mountain trips (pilatus, jungfraujoch, gornergratt) and hiking, I’m wondering if this trip will be a total washout. We are coming from the US so spending a significant amount and have the ability to push this trip out to next year if needed (but that would be so depressing). Alternatively, I don’t want to spend the money and be stuck in hotel rooms and only doing indoor activities every day. Any thoughts from this group on how to handle? We will come prepared with rain gear/hiking boots, and I recognize the weather changes swiftly in this region so as long as we can get outdoors a few hours a day we will be fine. I’m just very concerned right now……
Thanks in advance for your suggestions and this great forum which has allowed me to build a fabulous vacation!
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Hi Lndboudart,
There’s really no reason to get worried. Forecasts for about 3 days ahead are pretty reliable, but anything further away isn’t. To be honest predictions for June 30 are pretty much worthless right now. And even if thunderstorms are predicted, that certainly doesn’t mean your days will be spoiled. Typical summer weather consists of warm and sunny weather in the morning, clouds building up during the day and a chance of rain/thunderstorms in the late afternoon and evenings. Days with continuous rain do occur, but really not that often in July.
Just check forecasts shortly before traveling and only then decide whether or not your plans need to be adapted.
Thanks Annika-
I’m hoping things turn around because right now every single day shows all day rain/thunderstorms for 9 straight days which just seems daunting to me. If it’s sporadic during the course of the day, I am less concerned.
Hi LNBoudart –
I just got back from Switzerland, with wet weather forecast most days of the 2 weeks that I was there.
I had beautiful sunny weather for hiking on days when thunderstorms were forecast.
The issue is as explained here:
http://www.myswissalps.com/ab outswitzerland/nature
The forecasts a cover large areas and relatively long periods of time. If any rain is to be expected anywhere in ana area for the whole afternoon, it will show in the forecast,.
Switzerland is full of microclimates…the next valley over can be sunny while yours is rainy….or vice versa.
I have found that this service is more useful for local forecasts than MeteoSchewiz, or, than my go-to source in the USA- Weather Underground. (Their radar maps are helpful, though).
Still, no guarantees. On average, the best weather is in September, but even then there can be long stretches of cloudy weather in some areas.
Although this walk will not put you in the high Alps, it has some very nice features, and is almost always sunny (or at least, not rainy) when the area north of the Alps is not.
http://www.myswissalps.com/fo rum/topic/bls-sudrampe-trail
Slowpoke
My understanding is a major heatwave is coming to Switzerland for all of this week and continuing through the end of June.
Yes, the temperatures are rising today above 30 degree Celsius and will reach 35 by mid-week. Until about Wednesday they forecast less thunderstorms; meaning less humidity in the air, after that an increasing risk up to the weekend, but still hot.
What comes then is hard to say.
Steph
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