I'm going to be in Switzerland (Lake Geneva area and Berner Oberland) the first week of September and am unsure what to pack. Will it still be summer temps or should I plan for fall temps? Should I bring more warm-weather or cold-weather clothing?
Posted by
Everett, WA
1288 posts
I went in 2001 and it was unseasonably cold. In all my pictures I am "bundled up" with my parka on. I went back in 2003 and it was very warm. In those pictures, I am in short sleeve shirts, skirts, and hiking in short (I am already braced for all the anti-shorts posts that confession will bring. However, I was hiking so...) The bottom line: you pretty much have to be prepared for both. Even if it is nice, it will be cold up high in the Berner Oberland. For those trips I plan on layering a short sleeve shirt under a quarter zip fleece under my North Face Jacket and possibly my marmot precip thrown on top if I am still cold. I only anticipate having to bundle up that much for high elevations like the top of the Jungfraujoch. All these pieces can be worn individually at less cold temps. (The Marmot Precip is very lightweight and can be warn in warm weather rain- The North face jacket is not a parka but lightweight and can be used on a cool evening in Venice, etc.) I also pack a pair of stretchy- one size fits all gloves- available for about $1.99 at stores. For warm weather, I pack a skirt, a skort, and for hiking I am bringing my zip off pants. (For hiking only people- please no letters!!) The bottom line: plan for cold and warm weather and think of things you can bring to use in both. (layer, layer, layer) I will be there in late September- See you then. (I'll be the blue Bundled up blob at the top of the Jungfraujoch.) Have a great trip.
Posted by
Kansas City
98 posts
i am going mid october. after much thought i have decided to take a quarter zip fleece, an ultra light rain jacket and a down vest. the down vest zips into it's own pocket and can be used as a pillow. it's also very light weight and warm.
if you're interested MEC has these at half off (about $32) - i love mine!
Posted by
dallas, tx, usa
1358 posts
I never worry about weather because it is impossible to predict. I always go in October and take a sweater unless I am going into the Berner Oberland. In that case I take a jacket because the higher you go the colder it gets. Be prepared. I will expect September to be mild.
There is a weather page you can research to find the average temps by month, but I find it useless. We can always expect a temperature RANGE.
Posted by
Florida, USA
12172 posts
Layer to give yourself a wide range of options. I think the days will be nice with cooler mornings and evenings. Europe has had a cool summer by all accounts and there is always a chance of rain.
Posted by
US Pacific Northwest
10344 posts
The single most important thing to know about mountain weather is that it varies greatly depending on the altitude above sea level you're at. The air temp decreases by about 3 degrees for every 1000 ft of altitude gain and in the BO that can make an enormous difference on your comfort level. Interlaken can be 75 but at the same exact time the top of the Jungfrau can be 40 with wind.