Climate
Climatic diversity between the regions of Centovalli (Ticino) and Appenzell (Northeastern Switzerland)In Switzerland, where the height above sea-level ranges from 193 metres (633 ft) to 4,634 metres (15,203 ft), many climates are naturally found, from the regions of olives, vines, oaks and beeches, pines and firs, to those of the high mountain pastures, rhododendrons, and of eternal snow.
In most inhabited regions of Switzerland, at lower altitudes, the weather is generally moderate. On the plateau, freezing temperatures generally occur during December-early March with an average temperature of 9 °C (48.2 °F) for elevations between 500–600 metres (1,640–1,969 ft). On the Plateau the average precipitation is 1,000 millimetres (39 in) with a range of about 800–1,300 millimetres (31.5–51.2 in). The higher elevations of the Jura and the Alps naturally cause lower temperatures and in the high Alps glaciers exist. The Jura and foothills (both north and south of the Alps) typically have more precipitation, with an average of 1,200–1,600 millimetres (47.2–63.0 in), while the high Alps may have over 2,500 millimetres (98.4 in). Ticino, on the south side of the Alps, has sub-tropical vegetation and is usually 2°C - 4°C (3.6°F - 7.2°F) warmer, and wetter than the Swiss Plateau.
In the Köppen climate classification, the Swiss Plateau is classed as Maritime Temperate or Oceanic climate (Cfb) and the Alps are considered Tundra climates or (ET). A maritime temperate area will have changeable, often overcast weather. Summers are cool due to cloud cover and winters are milder than expected due to latitude. The Jura will be slightly cooler due to higher altitude. Within the Alps, temperatures and snow fall correlate to altitude.
| Place | Altitude of meteorological station (m) | Average rainfall (mm per year) | Average sunshine in August (%) | Average sunshine in December (%) | Average maximum temperature in July (°C) | Average minimum temperature in January (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| La Chaux-de-Fonds (Jura) | 1018 | 1410 | 40 | 40 | +19.6 | -6.4 |
| Bern (Swiss Plateau) | 565 | 1040 | 50 | 20 | +23.5 | -3.9 |
| Sion (Valais) | 482 | 600 | 60 | 50 | +25.7 | -4.8 |
| Säntis (Eastern Switzerland, prealps) | 2490 | 2900 | 55 | 30 | +7.5 | -10.3 |
| Locarno-Monti (Ticino) | 366 | 1850 | 60 | 60 | +25.9 | +0.1 |
- Climatic diversity (Period between 1961 and 1990).
Read more about this topic: Geography Of Switzerland
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