Grächen ski resort
Grächen is a ski resort in the canton of Valais, in the municipality of Grächen. The village sits at 1619 m and the ski area tops out at 2868 m (Seetalhorn), a vertical drop of 1249 m. The forecast at the top of the page is computed for the village altitude; the “Summit weather” section gives temperature, snow, wind and freezing level at 2868 m.
Snow and season in Grächen
Between 1500 and 2000 m, winters are long and snowy and summers short and cool; the snow line often drops below the village in winter.
To judge conditions, compare the snow line (≈ 300 m below the freezing level) with the village (1619 m) and the slopes (2868 m); above 50–60 km/h of summit wind, exposed lifts may close; a warm front lifts the freezing level within hours, a cold front brings snow down to the valley.
Climate of Grächen: 1991–2020 normals
In Grächen (1619 m), the mean annual temperature is 6.0 °C. The warmest month is July (14.9 °C on average) and the coldest January (−2.2 °C). About 600 mm of precipitation falls per year, peaking in May (68 mm) with a minimum in February (30 mm). The sun shines for about 1696 hours a year, mostly in July (191 h). On average there are 139 frost days per year. The mean monthly maximum reaches 26.8 °C and the absolute minimum −12.6 °C.
Mean monthly precipitation (mm) — bar height relative to the wettest month.
| Month | Mean T | Abs. max | Abs. min | Precip. (mm) | Sunshine (h) | Frost days | Summer days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | −2.2 °C | 8.6 °C | −12.3 °C | 40 | 97 | 29 | 0 |
| Feb | −1.9 °C | 10.9 °C | −12.6 °C | 30 | 112 | 25 | 0 |
| Mar | 1.5 °C | 14.1 °C | −9.7 °C | 36 | 155 | 21 | 0 |
| Apr | 4.9 °C | 17.3 °C | −5.7 °C | 46 | 151 | 12 | 0 |
| May | 9.1 °C | 22.1 °C | −1.4 °C | 68 | 160 | 3 | 0 |
| Jun | 13.0 °C | 26.2 °C | 2.1 °C | 58 | 176 | 0 | 4 |
| Jul | 14.9 °C | 26.8 °C | 4.9 °C | 55 | 191 | 0 | 6 |
| Aug | 14.7 °C | 26.8 °C | 4.2 °C | 62 | 181 | 0 | 5 |
| Sep | 10.7 °C | 22.7 °C | 0.8 °C | 43 | 160 | 1 | 0 |
| Oct | 6.7 °C | 18.9 °C | −3.2 °C | 57 | 137 | 6 | 0 |
| Nov | 1.6 °C | 14.1 °C | −8.3 °C | 56 | 91 | 16 | 0 |
| Dec | −1.4 °C | 8.8 °C | −11.3 °C | 49 | 85 | 26 | 0 |
| Year | 6.0 °C | 26.8 °C | −12.6 °C | 600 | 1696 | 139 | 15 |
Source: MeteoSwiss open data (1991–2020 normals) — stations Grächen (1 km, 1605 m), Visp (12 km, 639 m), Zermatt (20 km, 1638 m), adjusted to the elevation of Grächen (1619 m) using a 0.55 °C/100 m lapse rate. Indicative, rounded values.
Nearby ski resorts
- Weather Unterbäch (8 km · 1230–2500 m)
- Weather Visperterminen (10 km · 1378–2450 m)
- Weather Eischoll (11 km · 1220–2100 m)
- Weather Saas-Grund (12 km · 1559–3200 m)
- Weather Saas-Fee (13 km · 1800–3600 m)
- Weather Saint-Luc (17 km · 1650–3025 m)
Nearby municipalities
- Weather Embd
- Weather Törbel
- Weather Staldenried
- Weather St. Niklaus
- Weather Stalden (VS)
- Weather Eisten
- Weather Visperterminen
- Weather Zeneggen
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Grächen
How high is Grächen?
The village of Grächen is at 1619 m and the ski area rises to 2868 m (Seetalhorn), a vertical drop of 1249 m.
What is the temperature difference between the village and the summit in Grächen?
Expect about 7 °C less at the summit (2868 m) than in the village (1619 m), using the mean lapse rate of 0.6 °C per 100 m. The “Summit weather” section shows the forecast computed at 2868 m.
When does it snow in Grächen?
In the village (1619 m) the mean temperature stays below 2 °C from November to March (1991–2020 normals), when precipitation mostly falls as snow. Higher up, snow can fall in any season.
Where can I see the weather on the slopes of Grächen?
The “Summit weather” section on this page gives, for Seetalhorn (2868 m), min/max temperature, 7-day snowfall, wind and gusts, plus the freezing level and the estimated snow line.
What is the warmest month in Grächen?
The warmest month in Grächen is July, averaging 14.9 °C (1991–2020 normal). The coldest is January at −2.2 °C.
How much does it rain in Grächen per year?
Grächen receives about 600 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is May (68 mm), the driest February (30 mm).
When is the best time to visit Grächen?
For warmth and sunshine: July (14.9 °C on average, 191 h of sun). The coldest month is January (−2.2 °C). Check the 15-day forecast above for your dates.