my waterproof OnClouds and warm base layers, sweaters, rain jacket. I don't really want to haul all the extra clothing around for the rest of the 5 weeks in the Swiss lowlands, Rome and Paris. The only day I am actually worried about is going to the Top of the World Jungfraujoch from Wengen. We won't be hiking but would like to see the Ice Caves. We are going to be in Wengen May 9-13. Seems the weather is warming and people who have been in the BO in May are of 2 minds about this. Thus my confusion. I want to monitor weather from here (Seattle) for the next 3 weeks. I would like to use a Swiss weather site, but need advice as to which one and what would be the closest Swiss location to use for monitoring. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you. Susan
Posted by
Nashville, TN
1276 posts
Weather updates are given directly from the company that runs Jungfraujoch -
https://www.jungfrau.ch/en-gb/live/weather/?srsltid=AfmBOoq6ehnd2IPmUuntoCwi3X_TjAfwGuY4p4eUvpF45jMPDUoeDv94
Regardless, the weather doesn't change that much up there. There is always snow and if it's sunny it can feel fine and if it's cloudy and windy it can feel horrible - but you wouldn't really want to be up there then anyway, because the point is to be able to see the views. I've done Jungfraujoch with the ice caves, outdoor viewing platform and even walking out onto the snow many times in regular trail runner shoes (not waterproof) + a sweatshirt with a light vest over top of it. I wouldn't want to hang out there all day like that necessarily, but to go out in those spots for short amounts of time to get your photos and then move on is fine. Your shoes don't get wet in the ice cave, it's solid ice, not slushy.
They sell warm weather gear in Kleine Scheidegg at Wys (at the base of Jungfraujoch before you go up), so in the event you get there and feel like you don't have enough clothing, buy a pair of gloves and hat there at the shop and then you can choose later if you want to take them with you on the rest of your trip or just donate them to some other frigid looking tourist :)
Posted by
Maryland
1115 posts
If you have a few days in Wengen the best you may be able to do is to pick the best day of your stay for the trip up... BUT the Jungfraujoch is at ~11,000 feet and Wengen is at ~4,200 feet. In the Alps (or the Cascades) in mid-May you may get all types of weather in one day in one location, or totally different weather at different elevations. I always travel with base layers and a puffy jacket and a light water-resistant shell anyway since wet/cool weather can occur anywhere, particularly in May. OR it can be terribly hot EVERYWHERE as it has been in several recent years. Good luck.
Posted by
OP
lake forest park, washington, usa
183 posts
Thank you both! I think I will follow Wanderweg's example. I really don't want to haul a puffy coat and boots through France and Italy (even Luzern and Basel) before and after Switzerland. We'll just roll the dice and hope for at least one good weather day for Jungfraujoch..
Posted by
San Diego, California
6924 posts
When we went up one year, many people got on the train from Wengen in sandals, and some women in sundresses. Upon arrival, they went straight to the gift shop and purchased overpriced puffy coats. At 11,000 ft with snow on the ground, it's darn cold, even on a sunny, clear day. What do usually wear for weather in the 30's? For me, I had and wore gloves, but we all tolerate cold differently.
Have a great trip!