The climate of Lausanne
The city of
Lausanne is situated in
Switzerland and is characterized predominantly by a Marine west coast climate with warm summers, as per the Köppen climate classification, labeled as Cfb. This categorization is born from the yearly weather patterns of predictable rainfall and relatively mild temperatures, both of which are typical for this climate zone.
Throughout the year, rainfall in Lausanne is a common occurrence. Monthly, the rainfall millimeters range from a minimum of 48mm in
April to a maximum of 103mm in
December. A closer look at the number of rainfall days reveals an interesting pattern. While one might expect the months with the most rainfall millimeters also to possess the maximum number of rainfall days, this is not necessarily the case. April has the least amount of rainfall millimeters but is not the month with the fewest days of rain. This honor is shared between
February with 11.8 days and
September with 12.5 days. The month with the heaviest rainfall, December, also possesses a relatively high number of rainfall days at 13.8. Therefore, it seems that while rainfall in Lausanne can be expected throughout the year, some months may have heavy showers spread over a shorter period, rather than light showers spread over many days.
When it comes to temperature, the patterns are relatively consistent with the standard understanding of seasonal changes. The peak temperatures manifest during the summer months, with a high of 22.2°C in
July and a low only slight less at 12.6°C. Conversely, during the winter months the city experiences lower temperatures.
January and February both record the same low temperature reading of -2.2°C, while the high swings between 3.3°C and 3.8°C in those months.
An exciting factor in Lausanne’s weather profile is the snowfall. Here, a strong correlation emerges between the rainfall and snowfall patterns - when one increases, the other decreases. The influence of this inverse relationship results in higher snowfall during the winter months, peaking in February with 173mm and December close behind with 184mm. Snowfall days sees its zenith in January and December with 10.3 and 8 days respectively. However, the snow is virtually non-existent from
May to September.
The best time to visit Lausanne
The ideal time to plan a visit to
Lausanne is heavily dependent on individual preferences. Nevertheless, given the city's weather pattern, visiting during the summer months from
June to
August might be optimum for many. During these months, temperatures in the city are at their peak, hovering around a comfortable 19.8°C to 22.2°C. In those months, the daylight hours are also at their maximum, providing amplities of light for sightseeing and other outdoor activities, reaching lengths of an impressive 15.4 to 15.8 hours.
The worst time to visit Lausanne
As per the adverse conditions, the winter season from
December to
February can be least hospitable for visitors. During this period, the city experiences its coldest temperatures, from -2.2°C to 4.9°C. Added to this, snowfall reaches its height with 140mm to 184mm with a high number of snowfall days. Furthermore, the daylight hours are at their least, between 8.7 to 9.4 hours, causing a limitation for outdoor activities.
Spring weather in Lausanne
Spring in
Lausanne, from
April to
June, sees temperatures gradually rising from 13.2°C to 19.8°C in the day, while nights warm up from 4.3°C to 10.7°C. This period also experiences average levels of rainfall, peaking at 74mm in
May. However, the lengthening daylight hours, ranging from 13.6 to 15.8 hours, make the period warmer overall and suitable for outdoor activities.
Summer weather in Lausanne
Summer is the warmest time of the year in
Lausanne, characterized by the highest average temperatures ranging between 15.9°C to 22.2°C in the day and 6.8°C to 12.6°C at night. Rainfall is consistent, with seasonal peaks reaching 88mm in
June. Notably, daylight hours are at their peak, from 15 to 15.8 hours, with sunshine hours at their highest, from 10 to 10.7 hours.
Autumn weather in Lausanne
Autumn experiences a gradual decrease in temperatures with daytime readings falling from 18.3°C to 8.7°C and nighttime temperatures dropping from 9.2°C to 2.6°C from
September to
November. Rainfall increases towards the end of the season, reaching 75mm in November. Daylight hours also decrease, transitioning from 12.5 hours to 9.4 hours.
Winter weather in Lausanne
Winter in
Lausanne is distinctly cold and snowy. The months of
December,
January, and
February see daytime temperatures ranging from 3.3°C to 4.9°C, and even colder nights with temperatures between -2.2°C to -0.4°C. Snowfall is at its height in February at 173mm, with 9.2 snowfall days. However, the short daylight hours of 8.7 to 9.1 hours, cause a crimp in outdoor activities.
Weather in January
January in
Lausanne,
Switzerland experiences cold temperatures with the average high and low ranging from -2.2°C to 3.3°C. A characteristic feature of weather in this month is consistent snowfall. The city remains draped in a blanket of white with snowfall reaching as high as 140mm.
Weather in January » Weather in February
February is a winter month in
Lausanne, bearing similar weather patterns to
January but with an increase in average snowfall up to 173mm. Cold temperatures continue to persist during this month. It's an excellent period for winter sports enthusiasts, particularly skiers and snowboarders.
Weather in February » Weather in March
In
March,
Lausanne witnesses a transition from winter to spring. The temperate weather pattern sees average high temperatures reaching up to 8.2°C. Unlike the previous months, snowfall decreases significantly. Residents begin to experience longer daylight hours, hinting at the approach of spring.
Weather in March »
Weather in April
April in
Lausanne delves further into the spring season. Average high temperatures reach up to a pleasant 13.2°C showing a significant increase from the colder months. Nature enthusiasts can appreciate the blooming flora in the city parks and surrounding areas.
Weather in April » Weather in May
May in
Lausanne sustains the warming trend, with temperatures often reaching up to 15.9°C. The city embraces the full swing of spring with increased daylight hours and more sunshine. Rainfall sees an uptick during this month, contributing to the lush greenery of the region.
Weather in May » Weather in June
June in
Lausanne signals the beginning of summer. The month witnesses average high temperature increasing to 19.8°C, providing warm and pleasant days. The onset of summer also means less frequent snowfalls that mark the winter months.
Weather in June »
Weather in July
July in
Lausanne is consistent with typical summer weather patterns, witnessing the hottest temperatures of the year with highs reaching up to 22.2°C. This is the month with the highest temperature in the city. The warm weather, combined with the region's abundant sunshine, make July an ideal period for outdoor events and water-based activities on Lake Geneva.
Weather in July » Weather in August
August in
Lausanne continues the warm and pleasant climate from
July with fairly similar temperature ranges, but it's slightly lower dipping to 22.1°C on average high. This month, the city experiences a drop in the frequency of rainfall.
Weather in August » Weather in September
September marks the start of the fall season in
Lausanne. It starts cooling down with high temperatures falling to an average of 18.3°C. The decrease in temperature does not impact the daylight hours significantly, remaining favorable for outdoor activities.
Weather in September »
Weather in October
October in
Lausanne witnesses a further fall in temperatures, signifying the progression of the autumn season. People can observe the foliage changing colors around the city, providing breathtaking views. The number of daylight hours start decreasing noticeably, hinting at the approaching winter.
Weather in October » Weather in November
November in
Lausanne marks a pronounced drop in temperatures with average highs at 8.7°C, strongly suggesting the arrival of winter. Along with decreased daylight hours, the weather encourages residents and visitors to switch to warm clothing.
Weather in November » Weather in December
December in
Lausanne greets the winter season with temperatures dropping down to a low of -0.4°C. The month sees an increase in snowfall with a significant figure of 184mm, setting the city in a holiday mood. The wintry weather, combined with festive decorations, makes December an enchanting period.
Weather in December » [Resources]