Is the weather good in Switzerland in January 2025?
For the past few decades, the average daily temperatures in Switzerland during January have been around +5°C.
In Switzerland the temperature rarely varies more than seven degrees between the different parts with the highest temperature +5°C in Lugano to +4°C in Bern. So you should be able to pack for similar conditions wherever you go in the country.
Temperature, wind and humidity in January
- rainiest? Geneva, with an average of 3 mm of rain and humidity of 80%;
- warmest? Lugano, with daytime temperatures averaging +7°C;
- windiest? Zurich, with an average of 3 m/s;
- coolest? Bern, with daytime temperatures averaging +4°C;
How good is the weather in Switzerland in January?
How warm is it in Switzerland during January?
This is how hot it usually is in January
- Average maximum temperature for the month: +5°C;
- Average minimum temperature for the month: -1°C;
- Highest monthly temperature: +6°C;
- Lowest monthly temperature: -2°C;
Monthly temperatures:
- Warmest: July with an average +25°C during the day;
- Coldest: January with an average +5°C of the day;
- Hottest month in hottest city: July in Lugano;
- Coldest month in coolest city: January in Bern;
Winds in Switzerland during January
January tends to offer light winds averaging 2 m/s. However, coastal cities may experience breezes during the mornings and afternoons.
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average wind speed: Basel with 2 m/s;
- Lowest average wind speed: Bern with 1 m/s;
- Windiest day of the month: Zurich with 3 m/s;
- The least windy day of the month: Bern with 1 m/s;
Humidity and precipitation in Switzerland in January
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average rainfall: Geneva with 97 mm;
- Lowest average rainfall: Lugano with 48 mm;
- Most number of rainy days: Basel with 11 rainy days;
- Least number of rainy days: Lugano with 5 rainy days;
- Highest risk of rain during the day: Basel with 35%;
- Least risk of rain during the day: Lugano with 16%;
- Highest average humidity: Zurich with 83%;
- Lowest average humidity: Lugano with 74%;
Snow
Comparison between cities in January:
- Highest average snowfall: Basel with 40 mm;
- Lowest average snowfall: Lugano with 23 mm;
- Most number of snowy days: Bern with 10 snowy days;
- Least number of snowy days: Basel with 6 snowy days;
- Highest chance of snow during the day: Bern with 32%;
- Least chance of snow during the day: Basel with 19%;
Tips for traveling to Switzerland in January
Looking for some tips for traveling to the sun, snow, or whatever you're aiming for Switzerland? Activities, weather, and clothing are closely linked. In addition, it's important to pack only what you really need so you don't have to worry about heavy packing or paying extra baggage fees.
Here is some advice on what to pack and what kind of activities you can do in the Switzerland based on the weather that January is expected to bring. The advice applies to the country as a whole – local weather and possible activities may differ somewhat.
Pack right for January
- For light showers, an umbrella or a thin and light rain cape is usually sufficient, while more rain may require rainwear and rain boots.
- Cool weather is between warm and cold. This means you can bring long pants and/or a longer skirt and an extra sweater. Be aware that cool days can alternate with cold nights - it may be wise to also pack a hat, gloves and a scarf.
- Light winds are probably most comfortable in hot weather but is cooling in cool and cold weather. If it is hot (when the air temperature is about 30 degrees), the wind can have a warming effect. A thin, windproof jacket and long trousers help to counteract these effects.
- High humidity means that the air conducts heat to and from the skin more easily. For example, if the air is hot (above skin temperature), it will be harder to stay cool. On the other hand, if the air is cool or cold, it is more difficult to stay warm. In high humidity, the choice of clothing makes less of a difference. However, your physical activity plays a bigger role.
FAQ
What can you do outside when it's warm in Switzerland?
Is January a good time to visit Switzerland?
Monthly weather in Switzerland
Source of the data
For this page, we’ve looked at the typical weather in Switzerland, based on historical hourly weather data from January 1, 1979, to December 31, 2023.
For past dates, we show actual recorded data at the location at that time. Forecasts are based on recorded weather during that day of the year, averaged over the total years for which we have records (unless stated otherwise). The daily temperature is the highest recorded temperature in the shadow during that day.