Hello. We will be in Wengen five nights, because we had hoped for at least a couple good hiking days. However thunderstorms (70% likelihood) are predicted for all 5 days. Is it safe to hike there with thunderstorms predicted. We live in the Sierra Nevada mountains in the USA, and do not hike there when thunderstorms are predicted. It is advised not to do so. I’m assuming the same is true in Switzerland but thought I’d check with this group. I have read recommendations here to watch for breaks of sunshine and we are keeping fingers crossed for that. But also want to not be fool hardy.
Posted by
Forest Grove, OR
11322 posts
Our experience in the area is that thunderstorms do not happen as often as predicted and when they do come, usually it is late in the day. Seize the mornings if they are nice and if not, chances are there will be good breaks after noon. It is the way of the mountains.
When we have had a complete rain out in the area, we walk the Lauterbrunnen Valley to (or from) Stechelberg.
Posted by
San Francisco area
1803 posts
That’s been my experience too. Mornings can be nice with thunderstorms developing by afternoon or evening. Get up early check the weather or the webcams if going to the mountain tops. If all looks good then head out.
Bern can be a good rainy day day trip.
Posted by
Thun, Switzerland
485 posts
You probably have a reliable website/app to check the weather already, here is the one I use, just FYI
I like that I can add many different locations and then compare them, so for example I have Wengen, Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald but also Kandersteg, Meiringen, Adelboden and others. Sometimes the weather can be different once you go into a different valley. Depending on how much you want to stay in Wengen vs how much you just want to get a good hike in, this could be an option. I just scroll down my list to see if any locations predict good weather for that day.
You can find the areas listed above on the Switzerland Mobility website or app, to see what hiking routes they have
https://www.schweizmobil.ch/en/hiking-in-switzerland.html
Hopefully the weather plays along and you have some good opportunities in Wengen!
Posted by
Chicago
2675 posts
Are you checking the weather on the weather channel app or website? For some reason, that always shows rain most days for Switzerland. You want to use the meteoswiss app or website as swiss life suggested above. That is way more accurate for Switzerland.
If you’re like me and can’t figure out the Celsius to Fahrenheit conversion, I just ask my phone. “Siri, what’s 25 degrees Celsius in Fahrenheit.” 😊
Posted by
14 posts
Quick (and reasonably accurate) conversion from Cº to Fº; double the degrees Celsius, and add 30º. So, 20º C = (2 x 20, + 30) = 70º F. (It's actually 68º F, but pretty close.) Easy-peasey!
The actual formula (for the numerically exact among us) is Cº x 1.8, + 32º = Fº. Hope this helps!
Posted by
OP
119 posts
Thank you everyone. Yes I’m using MeteoSwiss but I did not know about the mobility aspect. And was also looking for a quick way to see celcius but think farenheit! Thank you!!!
Posted by
11 posts
Meteoblue.com is showing 5 to 7 hours of sunshine a day for the next five days. It also gives hourly forecasts https://www.meteoblue.com/en/weather/week/wengen_switzerland_2658020?day=1
As with Sierra Nevadas (we have a house there too) you do not want to be on the side or top of a mountain in thunderstorms. The rainy day ideas others have offered up are great. Another wonderful thing to do if you get a full day of rain is go take a cruise on Lake Brienz. It's even more dramatic during storms!
Posted by
Boise, ID, USA
2181 posts
I was in Lauterbrunnen the week of August 3-10 and rain/thunderstorms were predicted every day and I hauled my rain jacket in my day pack every day and I barely felt a drop of rain anytime. Assume the best instead of the worst! Have a wonderful trip.
Posted by
Wengen
1655 posts
one thing where hiking in Switzerland is very different from other countries is that you are not in a wilderness. You are in a park.
In the Jungfrau area you are rarely further than an hour away from the next public transport stop, so if you see the weather change you just follow the signs to the next bus stop or train station. If you were to get caught in a thunderstorm while out on a trail head for the nearest barn. They are everywhere.
Currently the weather forecast says it is going to be cloudy, but dry today. The clouds appear to be high (as I can see the summit of the Jungfrau). Today would be a good day for hiking. But I have to work...
There are thunderstorms predicted for tomorrow and the weekend, but each time only in the afternoons. As to what the weather will bring next week, well that is anyone's guess. You cannot predict the weather here that far in advance.
My advise is, as always, is to get up early. Hike in the morning.