When to go · Switzerland
Switzerland in November
Mixed month. Grey on the Plateau, most resorts closed; Christmas markets start late in the month.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- Low
- Switzerland
- Prices
- Low
- Switzerland
Verdict
Grey on the Plateau, most resorts closed; Christmas markets start late in the month.
Is another month better than November?
November is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatLifts reopen; wildflowers; high trails may still have snow until July. Art Basel mid-month.
- JulyGreatPeak hiking and lake swimming; Montreux Jazz Festival; book scenic trains and Zermatt early.
- AugustGreatNational Day on 1 August; Locarno Film Festival; river swimming in Bern, Basel and Zurich.
- SeptemberGreatClear, stable weather and fewer crowds; the best hiking month. Cattle come down from the pastures.
Weather in November
- Plateau cities · Zurich, Bern, Basel, Lucernecool
Fog (Hochnebel) can sit over the Plateau for days in November–February while the mountains are sunny — take a train up.
- Bernese and central Alps · Interlaken, Grindelwald, Lauterbrunnen, Engelbergcool
Skiing late December to early April ('best' in winter means snow); hiking late June to early October. Afternoon storms in July–August.
- Valais and Engadin · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Verbier, St Moritzcool
The sunniest and driest Alpine valleys; high resorts keep snow into April. Lifts close in May and November.
- Lake Geneva · Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux, Lavauxcool
Mild; the bise wind makes winter days raw. Grape harvest in Lavaux late September–October.
- Ticino · Lugano, Locarno, Bellinzonarainy
Warmest region with palm trees; heavy rain possible in autumn. The Gotthard base tunnel puts it 2 h from Zurich.
- Bern Region: Bern / Solothurn / Biel · Mittelland plateau, 430–550 mfine
Plateau summers reach 30 °C (86 °F)+; winter often sits near 0 °C (32 °F) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.Plateau summers reach 86 °F (30 °C)+; winter often sits near 32 °F (0 °C) with fog that clears above about 800 m. Rain falls year-round — pack a shell.
- Bernese Highlands: Valley floors (Interlaken, Lauterbrunnen) · 550–800 mcool
Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 30 °C (86 °F).Rain falls year-round; June–August afternoons can reach 86 °F (30 °C).
- Bernese Highlands: High villages and lifts (Wengen, Mürren, Jungfraujoch) · 1,000–3,500 msnow
Snow above about 2,000 m from November to May; the Jungfraujoch is below freezing most of the year.
- Central Switzerland: Lucerne and the lake · Vierwaldstättersee shore, 430–500 mfine
Lake-effect cloud and afternoon thunderstorms in July–August; Föhn winds can push spring temperatures up fast.
- Central Switzerland: Engelberg and Titlis · 1,000–3,000 msnow
Snow on the glacier year-round; the village sees reliable snow December–March.
- Eastern Switzerland: Lake Constance shore (Romanshorn, Stein am Rhein) · lake level, 400 mfine
Mild and often foggy in November–January; summer thunderstorms build in the afternoon.
- Eastern Switzerland: Appenzell and Glarus hills · 700–1,200 mcold
Higher and wetter than the lake; snow can sit on the upper trails into April.
- Graubünden: Chur / Rhine valley · Canton capital and the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein valleysfine
Lowest and mildest part of the canton; valley heat in July–August, snow rare on the floor.
- Graubünden: Engadin / St. Moritz · High valley in the south-east, 1,800 m and upcold
High and dry; cold nights even in summer, reliable snow December–March, long sunny days.
- Graubünden: Davos / Prättigau · North-east valleyscold
Ski season December–April; summer hiking from June; afternoon storms in July–August.
- Northwestern Switzerland: Basel and the Rhine valley · city and river plaincool
Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 30 °C (86 °F)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.Warmest corner of Switzerland in summer, with 86 °F (30 °C)+ days in July–August; rain spread through the year. The Jura foothills above Liestal run a few degrees cooler and can hold snow into spring.
- Ticino: Lakes (Lugano, Locarno, Ascona) · Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore shorescool
Mildest part of Switzerland; April–June and September–October are the sweet spots. August is hot and busy, especially around the Locarno film festival.
- Ticino: Valleys and mountains (Verzasca, Maggia, Monte San Giorgio) · Inland valleys and higher groundcold
Higher trails open roughly May–October; snow and closed passes in winter.
- Valais: Rhone valley (Sion) · Valley floor, about 480 mfine
One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 35 °C (95 °F), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.One of the driest, sunniest parts of Switzerland; summer can hit 95 °F (35 °C), and long dry spells bring forest fires every few years.
- Valais: High resorts and passes · Zermatt, Saas-Fee, Great St Bernardsnow
Snow from November to April; the Great St Bernard Pass sits near 2,470 m and is a winter route by ski or helicopter only.
- Western Switzerland: Lake Geneva shore (Geneva, Lausanne, Montreux) · Lakeside plateau, 370–400 mcool
Mild and the driest part of the region; lake breezes temper July heat. Vineyard terraces are best walked April–October.
- Western Switzerland: Jura (La Chaux-de-Fonds, Le Locle, Delémont) · Jura mountains, 700–1,100 mcold
About 5 °C (9 °F) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.About 9 °F (5 °C) cooler than the lakeshore and snowbound December–March; watch-town visits work year-round but winter days are short.
- Western Switzerland: Fribourg Alps (Gruyères, Château-d'Œx) · Pre-Alps, 750–1,500 mcold
Hiking June–September; ski stations in the Vaud Alps run December–March.
- Zurich Region: Zurich city and lake · Canton of Zurich, lake basinfine
Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 10 °C (50 °F), then drop back below freezing.Lake swimming peaks July–August; foehn winds can push winter days above 50 °F (10 °C), then drop back below freezing.
- Zurich Region: Aargau and Zug lowlands · Aare and Zug lake valleysfine
Slightly warmer and less windy than the city; similar rain pattern.
- Geneva9 °C (48 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
- Aarau7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Albinen5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Andermatt4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Appenzell8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Arosa4 °C (39 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 8 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 8 rain days
- Ascona12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 6 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 6 rain days
- Avenches9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 7 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 7 rain days
- Baden8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Basel9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Bellinzona11 °C (52 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 8 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 8 rain days
- Bern8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Biel8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Brig7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Brugg9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Brunnen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Château-d'Œx7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
- Chur8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Crans-Montana5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
- Davos5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
- Delémont9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Disentis7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 6 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 6 rain days
- Engelberg5 °C (41 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Falera5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
- Fiesch8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Flims8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Flüelen7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 11 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 11 rain days
- Fribourg8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Frutigen8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Gimmelwald5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
- Glarus9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 7 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 7 rain days
- Goldau7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Grindelwald6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
- Gruyères9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Gstaad6 °C (43 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 11 rain days
- Hermance11 °C (52 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain days
- Horgen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Ilanz7 °C (45 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 8 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 8 rain days
- Interlaken8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Kandersteg6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
- Klosters6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
- Küssnacht9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- La Chaux-de-Fonds9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 8 rain days
- Laax6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 9 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 9 rain days
- Lausanne8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Lauterbrunnen6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
- Le Locle9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain days
- Lenzerheide6 °C (43 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 8 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 8 rain days
- Les Diablerets10 °C (50 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 6 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 6 rain days
- Leukerbad8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Leysin6 °C (43 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 10 rain days43 °F (6 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 10 rain days
- Liestal10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Locarno11 °C (52 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Lucens9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 6 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 6 rain days
- Lucerne8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Lugano11 °C (52 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Martigny8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
- Meiringen7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
- Montreux9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Mürren5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 10 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 10 rain days
- Murten9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Neuchâtel8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Nyon8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Pfäffikon8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain days
- Pontresina5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
- Porrentruy9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Rapperswil7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Rheinfelden9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Riederalp-Bettmeralp5 °C (41 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
- Romanshorn8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Saas-Fee4 °C (39 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
- Safiental7 °C (45 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 7 rain days
- Saint Gallen7 °C (45 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 11 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 11 rain days
- Saint-Maurice9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
- Saint-Ursanne9 °C (48 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Samedan8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Samnaun5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 6 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 6 rain days
- Sargans9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 9 rain days
- Schaffhausen7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Schwyz8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 7 rain days
- Scuol4 °C (39 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
- Sierre10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Sion9 °C (48 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 9 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 9 rain days
- Solothurn8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Spiez7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 10 rain days
- St. Moritz4 °C (39 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 7 rain days39 °F (4 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 7 rain days
- Stans8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
- Stein am Rhein8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 9 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 9 rain days
- Tenero12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 9 rain days
- Thun8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 10 rain days
- Tujetsch7 °C (45 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
- Uster10 °C (50 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 11 rain days
- Val Lumnezia9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Val Mesolcina8 °C (46 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 8 rain days
- Vals7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Verbier5 °C (41 °F) / -3 °C (27 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 27 °F (-3 °C), 9 rain days
- Vevey9 °C (48 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
- Villars-sur-Ollon7 °C (45 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 7 rain days
- Visp8 °C (46 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Weggis8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Wengen5 °C (41 °F) / -2 °C (28 °F), 11 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 28 °F (-2 °C), 11 rain days
- Winterthur8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Yverdon-les-Bains8 °C (46 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Zermatt5 °C (41 °F) / -4 °C (25 °F), 9 rain days41 °F (5 °C) / 25 °F (-4 °C), 9 rain days
- Zug7 °C (45 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 10 rain days45 °F (7 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 10 rain days
- Zurich8 °C (46 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 10 rain days46 °F (8 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 10 rain days
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Switzerland
- Low
- Prices · Switzerland
- Low
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Switzerland, side by side.
Verdict
Nov: Mixed
Jun: Great (better)
Crowds
Nov: Low
Jun: Medium
Prices
Nov: Low
Jun: Medium
Festivals listed
Nov: 0
Jun: 1
November: Grey on the Plateau, most resorts closed; Christmas markets start late in the month.
June: Lifts reopen; wildflowers; high trails may still have snow until July. Art Basel mid-month.
Switzerland: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast