Unterwasser ski resort
Unterwasser is a ski resort in the canton of St. Gallen, in the municipality of Wildhaus-Alt St. Johann. The village sits at 910 m and the ski area (Toggenburg) tops out at 2262 m (Chäserrugg), a vertical drop of 1352 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 2262 m.
Snow and season in Unterwasser
In the foothills snow lies for a few weeks each winter and inversion fog is common in the valley bottoms.
To judge conditions, compare the snow line (≈ 300 m below the freezing level) with the village (910 m) and the slopes (2262 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 Unterwasser: 1991–2020 normals
In Unterwasser (910 m), the mean annual temperature is 7.9 °C. The warmest month is August (15.7 °C on average) and the coldest February (1.0 °C). About 1681 mm of precipitation falls per year, peaking in July (170 mm) with a minimum in April (105 mm). On average there are 114 frost days and 6 hot days (≥ 30 °C) per year. The mean monthly maximum reaches 26.1 °C and the absolute minimum −10.0 °C.
Mean monthly precipitation (mm) — bar height relative to the wettest month.
| Month | Mean T | Abs. max | Abs. min | Precip. (mm) | Frost days | Summer days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 1.4 °C | 11.6 °C | −9.7 °C | 151 | 25 | 0 |
| Feb | 1.0 °C | 12.3 °C | −10.0 °C | 125 | 22 | 0 |
| Mar | 3.2 °C | 13.5 °C | −7.7 °C | 146 | 18 | 0 |
| Apr | 6.0 °C | 16.1 °C | −4.3 °C | 105 | 8 | 0 |
| May | 10.0 °C | 20.4 °C | 0.7 °C | 138 | 1 | 3 |
| Jun | 13.5 °C | 24.8 °C | 4.4 °C | 150 | 0 | 10 |
| Jul | 15.5 °C | 26.1 °C | 6.9 °C | 170 | 0 | 13 |
| Aug | 15.7 °C | 25.9 °C | 6.5 °C | 165 | 0 | 13 |
| Sep | 12.3 °C | 22.4 °C | 3.1 °C | 130 | 0 | 3 |
| Oct | 9.5 °C | 19.8 °C | −1.0 °C | 115 | 3 | 0 |
| Nov | 5.0 °C | 16.0 °C | −5.5 °C | 120 | 13 | 0 |
| Dec | 2.2 °C | 12.3 °C | −8.5 °C | 166 | 23 | 0 |
| Year | 7.9 °C | 26.1 °C | −10.0 °C | 1681 | 114 | 42 |
Source: MeteoSwiss open data (1991–2020 normals) — stations Säntis (6 km, 2501 m), Ebnat-Kappel (16 km, 623 m), Vaduz (19 km, 457 m), adjusted to the elevation of Unterwasser (910 m) using a 0.55 °C/100 m lapse rate. Indicative, rounded values.
Nearby ski resorts
- Weather Wildhaus (4 km · 1090–2076 m)
- Weather Säntis / Schwägalp (6 km · 1350–2502 m)
- Weather Ebenalp / Kronberg (9 km · 870–1640 m)
- Weather Amden (12 km · 910–1700 m)
- Weather Kerenzerberg (18 km · 700–1500 m)
- Weather Flumserberg (20 km · 1220–2222 m)
⛷️ Ski resorts Canton St. Gallen
Nearby municipalities
- Weather Nesslau
- Weather Walenstadt
- Weather Gams
- Weather Ebnat-Kappel
- Weather Sevelen
- Weather Grabs
- Weather Schwende-Rüte
- Weather Buchs (SG)
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Unterwasser
How high is Unterwasser?
The village of Unterwasser is at 910 m and the ski area rises to 2262 m (Chäserrugg), a vertical drop of 1352 m.
What is the temperature difference between the village and the summit in Unterwasser?
Expect about 8 °C less at the summit (2262 m) than in the village (910 m), using the mean lapse rate of 0.6 °C per 100 m. The “Summit weather” section shows the forecast computed at 2262 m.
When does it snow in Unterwasser?
In the village (910 m) the mean temperature stays below 2 °C from January to February (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 Unterwasser?
The “Summit weather” section on this page gives, for Chäserrugg (2262 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 Unterwasser?
The warmest month in Unterwasser is August, averaging 15.7 °C (1991–2020 normal). The coldest is February at 1.0 °C.
How much does it rain in Unterwasser per year?
Unterwasser receives about 1681 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is July (170 mm), the driest April (105 mm).
When is the best time to visit Unterwasser?
For warmth and sunshine: August (15.7 °C on average, — h of sun). The coldest month is February (1.0 °C). Check the 15-day forecast above for your dates.