Zermatt ski resort
Zermatt is a ski resort in the canton of Valais, in the municipality of Zermatt. The village sits at 1608 m and the ski area (Matterhorn Ski Paradise) tops out at 3883 m (Klein Matterhorn), a vertical drop of 2275 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 3883 m.
Snow and season in Zermatt
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 (1608 m) and the slopes (3883 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 Zermatt: 1991–2020 normals
In Zermatt (1608 m), the mean annual temperature is 5.8 °C. The warmest month is July (13.6 °C on average) and the coldest February (−1.1 °C). About 633 mm of precipitation falls per year, peaking in May (76 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 171 frost days per year. The mean monthly maximum reaches 22.9 °C and the absolute minimum −12.4 °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 | −0.6 °C | 9.4 °C | −12.4 °C | 42 | 97 | 31 | 0 |
| Feb | −1.1 °C | 9.8 °C | −12.2 °C | 30 | 112 | 28 | 0 |
| Mar | 0.7 °C | 10.5 °C | −11.4 °C | 33 | 155 | 27 | 0 |
| Apr | 3.3 °C | 13.1 °C | −7.1 °C | 40 | 151 | 16 | 0 |
| May | 7.3 °C | 17.3 °C | −2.2 °C | 76 | 160 | 5 | 0 |
| Jun | 11.4 °C | 21.9 °C | 1.8 °C | 69 | 176 | 0 | 2 |
| Jul | 13.6 °C | 22.7 °C | 4.7 °C | 58 | 191 | 0 | 4 |
| Aug | 13.6 °C | 22.9 °C | 4.0 °C | 68 | 181 | 0 | 3 |
| Sep | 10.5 °C | 20.2 °C | 1.0 °C | 50 | 160 | 2 | 0 |
| Oct | 7.8 °C | 17.7 °C | −3.4 °C | 56 | 137 | 10 | 0 |
| Nov | 2.9 °C | 15.0 °C | −8.9 °C | 64 | 91 | 23 | 0 |
| Dec | 0.5 °C | 10.3 °C | −11.0 °C | 47 | 85 | 30 | 0 |
| Year | 5.8 °C | 22.9 °C | −12.4 °C | 633 | 1696 | 171 | 9 |
Source: MeteoSwiss open data (1991–2020 normals) — stations Gornergrat (2 km, 3129 m), Zermatt (6 km, 1638 m), Grächen (23 km, 1605 m), adjusted to the elevation of Zermatt (1608 m) using a 0.55 °C/100 m lapse rate. Indicative, rounded values.
Nearby ski resorts
- Weather Saas-Fee (13 km · 1800–3600 m)
- Weather Saas-Almagell (15 km · 1672–2400 m)
- Weather Zinal (18 km · 1675–2900 m)
- Weather Saas-Grund (21 km · 1559–3200 m)
- Weather Grächen (23 km · 1619–2868 m)
- Weather Arolla (25 km · 2000–3000 m)
Nearby municipalities
- Weather Täsch
- Weather Randa
- Weather Saas-Fee
- Weather Saas-Almagell
- Weather Saas-Balen
- Weather St. Niklaus
- Weather Saas-Grund
- Weather Eisten
Frequently asked questions about the weather in Zermatt
How high is Zermatt?
The village of Zermatt is at 1608 m and the ski area rises to 3883 m (Klein Matterhorn), a vertical drop of 2275 m.
What is the temperature difference between the village and the summit in Zermatt?
Expect about 14 °C less at the summit (3883 m) than in the village (1608 m), using the mean lapse rate of 0.6 °C per 100 m. The “Summit weather” section shows the forecast computed at 3883 m.
When does it snow in Zermatt?
In the village (1608 m) the mean temperature stays below 2 °C from December 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 Zermatt?
The “Summit weather” section on this page gives, for Klein Matterhorn (3883 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 Zermatt?
The warmest month in Zermatt is July, averaging 13.6 °C (1991–2020 normal). The coldest is February at −1.1 °C.
How much does it rain in Zermatt per year?
Zermatt receives about 633 mm of precipitation a year. The wettest month is May (76 mm), the driest February (30 mm).
When is the best time to visit Zermatt?
For warmth and sunshine: July (13.6 °C on average, 191 h of sun). The coldest month is February (−1.1 °C). Check the 15-day forecast above for your dates.