Climate in Locarno (Switzerland)

In Locarno, located in the canton of Ticino, on the shores of Lake Maggiore, 195 meters (640 feet) above sea level, the climate is humid temperate. Winters are quite cold, while summers are warm to hot, and characterized by a good amount of sunshine, but also by quite frequent thunderstorms. On the other side of the Maggia River, we find the nearby town of Ascona. Together with Lugano, Locarno is the mildest city in Switzerland.
In the cold half of the year, the wind is generally weak or absent, except when the favonio (or föhn) blows, the warm and dry wind that comes down from the Alps and is able to bring clear skies and very good visibility. On the other hand, during the warm semester, the wind is weak or moderate and follows the breeze regime: during the warmest hours, the breeze blows from the lake towards the mountains (therefore, from the south), while after sunset and at night, it blows from the mountains to the lake (therefore from the north).
Here are the average temperatures.

Rainfall in Locarno is definitely abundant, since it amounts to 1,800 millimeters (70 inches) per year. Winter is the relatively driest season. In spring and autumn, the rains are plentiful in periods of Atlantic depressions, since the southern currents are forced to rise over the Alps and condense. In late spring and summer, thunderstorms in the afternoon or evening are quite frequent (and sometimes intense). During the most intense waves of bad weather, which occur in autumn (but sometimes also in spring), the lake may overflow, flooding the lower areas of the city.
Here is the average precipitation.

Winter, from December to February, is cold enough, but owing to the mitigating influence of the lake, it is milder than in the major cities of Switzerland, and it's also milder than in the Po Valley. Fog is less frequent as well.
There is a moderate amount of rainy days, even though the winter is the least rainy season. Snow generally falls at least once every year, and it can sometimes be abundant, but it tends to melt soon enough because it occurs in conditions of southerly winds. An average of 47 centimeters (18.5 inches) of snow falls each year. The record belongs to the winter of 1977/78, when a total of 242 centimeters (95.3 in) of snow fell.
We can not exclude very cold periods, with night frosts and temperatures around 0 °C (32 °F) or even below in the daytime. However, in these cases, the weather is usually dry. The temperature rarely drops below -5 °C (23 °F), though it can happen in the coldest winters. The coldest record is -10 °C (14 °F) and was set in January 1985.
However, it is enough to go to the nearby plain of Magadino, east of Locarno, to find much lower temperatures, especially on winter nights, when frosts are frequent, and in the coldest winters, considerably low temperatures are recorded; for example, the temperature plunged to -12 °C (10 °F) in January 1985, to -17 °C (1 °F) in February 1991, and to -16 °C (3 °F) in February 2012.

Summer, from June to August, is warm, and often sunny in the morning. The temperature is generally pleasant or at least bearable, in addition, the lake breeze blows.
Sometimes, an Atlantic front, able to bring some cool and rainy days, can affect this area; more often, thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon or in the evening.
Very hot days are quite rare, however, in recent decades, due to global warming, they have become more frequent. The highest record is 38 °C (100.4 °F) and was set in August 2003.



The amount of sunshine in Locarno is acceptable in winter, when there are sunny days alternating with cloudy periods; in the other seasons, it is not very high, in fact, Atlantic disturbances pass over the area quite frequently in spring and autumn, while in summer, in periods of good weather, cloudiness in the afternoon can form, which can lead to thunderstorms.

Best Time

The best periods to visit Locarno are spring and early summer, in particular, from mid-April to mid-June. September, too, is a good month. However, you have to take into account some rainy days in both periods.
Summer, which is the best time for sunbathing, can be hot, though this rarely happens: the temperature is usually acceptable, especially in June. As mentioned, in summer and in May, thunderstorms can break out in the afternoon or in the evening.

See also the climate of Lake Maggiore.

Locarno - Weather by month

Based on the period 1991-2020

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January, the coldest month of the year, is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.3 °C (40 °F), with a minimum of 1.2 °C (34.2 °F) and a maximum of 7.3 °C (45.2 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -3 °C (27 °F). However, it dropped to -5.5 °C (22.1 °F) in January 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59.5 °F). However, it reached 24 °C (75.2 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 69%.

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.7 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 9.4 °C (48.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -9.5 °C (14.9 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16.5 °C (62 °F). However, it reached 24.5 °C (76.1 °F) in February 2012.
Precipitation amounts to 65 mm (2.6 in), distributed over 4 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.7 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.7 °F) and a maximum of 14 °C (57.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (32.5 °F). However, it dropped to -5.9 °C (21.4 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22 °C (71.5 °F). However, it reached 27.9 °C (82.2 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 95 mm (3.7 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 54% of the time.
The average humidity is 71%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.9 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 17.4 °C (63.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 3.5 °C (38 °F). However, it dropped to -0.4 °C (31.3 °F) in April 2003.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 24.5 °C (76.5 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 47% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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May is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 16.6 °C (62 °F), with a minimum of 12.2 °C (53.9 °F) and a maximum of 21.1 °C (69.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 7.5 °C (45 °F). However, it dropped to 2.8 °C (37 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27.5 °C (81.5 °F). However, it reached 31.2 °C (88.2 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 185 mm (7.3 in), distributed over 11 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 0 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.5 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 15.9 °C (60.6 °F) and a maximum of 25.2 °C (77.3 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11 °C (52 °F). However, it dropped to 8.6 °C (47.5 °F) in June 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (87.5 °F). However, it reached 34.9 °C (94.8 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 180 mm (7.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 40 minutes. So the days are long. June 21, the summer solstice, is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot, muggy month. The average temperature is of 22.6 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 17.8 °C (64 °F) and a maximum of 27.5 °C (81.5 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10 °C (50 °F) in July 2000.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 36.8 °C (98.2 °F) in July 2015.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 15 hours and 20 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.2 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.5 °C (63.5 °F) and a maximum of 26.9 °C (80.4 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13 °C (56 °F). However, it dropped to 10.1 °C (50.2 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31.5 °C (89 °F). However, it reached 37.9 °C (100.2 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 205 mm (8.1 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 14 hours and 5 minutes. So the days are long.
There are on average 8 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 57% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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September is generally a very mild month. The average temperature is of 18.0 °C (64 °F), with a minimum of 13.9 °C (57.1 °F) and a maximum of 22 °C (71.6 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 9.5 °C (49 °F). However, it dropped to 5.1 °C (41.2 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 30.8 °C (87.4 °F) in September 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 190 mm (7.5 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 30 minutes.
There are on average 6.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 53% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.3 °C (56 °F), with a minimum of 10 °C (49.9 °F) and a maximum of 16.7 °C (62 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5 °C (41 °F). However, it dropped to 0.1 °C (32.2 °F) in October 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 22.5 °C (73 °F). However, it reached 30.5 °C (86.9 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 200 mm (7.9 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 78%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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November is generally a quite mild month. The average temperature is of 8.2 °C (47 °F), with a minimum of 5.4 °C (41.6 °F) and a maximum of 11.1 °C (52 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33.5 °F). However, it dropped to -3.6 °C (25.5 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17.5 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 21.5 °C (70.7 °F) in November 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 210 mm (8.3 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 39% of the time.
The average humidity is 75%. Hence, the air is normally humid.

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December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.8 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.5 °F) and a maximum of 7.6 °C (45.8 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -7.3 °C (18.9 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 15 °C (59 °F). However, it reached 20.5 °C (68.9 °F) in December 2008.
Precipitation amounts to 85 mm (3.3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 8 hours and 40 minutes. December 21, the winter solstice, is the shortest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 45% of the time.
The average humidity is 70%.