Climate in Lugano (Switzerland)

In Lugano, located in the canton of Ticino, on the shores of the lake of the same name (also called Ceresio), 270 meters (885 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. Along with Locarno, Lugano 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.
In the warm half of the year, the wind is weak or moderate and follows the breeze regime: during the warmest hours, the breeze blows from the lake towards the mountains, while after sunset and at night, it blows from the mountains to the lake.

The average temperature in January is around 4 °C (39 °F), while in July it is around 22.5 °C (72.5 °F).

Rainfall in Lugano is abundant, since it amounts to 1,550 millimeters (61 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.



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 driest season. Snow generally falls at least once every year, and it can sometimes be plentiful (for example, on January 27, 2006, 72 centimeters (28.5 inches) of snow fell), but it tends to melt soon enough because it occurs in conditions of southerly winds. In a year, an average of 26 cm (10.2 in) of snow falls. The record belongs to the winter of 1977/78, when a total of nearly three meters (10 feet) of snow fell.
We can not exclude very cold periods, with night frosts and temperatures around freezing or even below in the daytime. However, in these cases, the weather is usually dry. It's rare for the temperature to drop below -5 °C (23 °F), even though it can happen on colder winters. The coldest record is -14 °C (6.8 °F) and was set in February 1929.

Summer, from June to August, is warm to hot, and often sunny in the morning. The temperature is generally pleasant or at least bearable, in addition, there is some wind because of the lake breeze. 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 July 1945. In 2022, the temperature reached 36 °C (97 °F) in both July and August.

The amount of sunshine in Lugano 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 Lugano 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.

Lugano - Climate data

In Lugano, the average temperature of the coldest month (January) is of 4.1 °C (39.4 °F), that of the warmest month (July) is of 22.7 °C (72.8 °F). Here are the average temperatures.
Precipitation amounts to 1570 millimeters (61.8 inches) per year: it is therefore abundant. It ranges from 60 mm (2.4 in) in the driest month (February) to 175 mm (6.9 in) in the wettest one (May). Here is the average precipitation.
There are on average around 2125 sunshine hours per year. Here are the average hours of sunshine per day.

Lugano - 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 4.1 °C (39 °F), with a minimum of 1 °C (33.9 °F) and a maximum of 7.2 °C (44.9 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2.5 °C (27.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in January 2017.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 23.1 °C (73.6 °F) in January 2007.
Precipitation amounts to 70 mm (2.8 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 9 hours and 5 minutes.
There are on average 4 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 74%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).

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February is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 5.5 °C (42 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.5 °F) and a maximum of 9 °C (48.3 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28.5 °F). However, it dropped to -8.5 °C (16.7 °F) in February 2012.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 16 °C (60.5 °F). However, it reached 23 °C (73.4 °F) in February 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 60 mm (2.4 in), distributed over 5 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 25 minutes.
There are on average 5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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March is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 9.4 °C (49 °F), with a minimum of 5.3 °C (41.5 °F) and a maximum of 13.5 °C (56.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 0.5 °C (33 °F). However, it dropped to -5.3 °C (22.5 °F) in March 2005.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 21.5 °C (71 °F). However, it reached 27.3 °C (81.1 °F) in March 2005.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (3 in), distributed over 6 days.
The day lasts on average 12 hours and 0 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 52% of the time.
The average humidity is 60%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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April is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 12.6 °C (55 °F), with a minimum of 8.5 °C (47.3 °F) and a maximum of 16.6 °C (61.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 4 °C (39 °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 °C (75 °F). However, it reached 31.6 °C (88.9 °F) in April 2011.
Precipitation amounts to 140 mm (5.5 in), distributed over 10 days.
The day lasts on average 13 hours and 35 minutes.
There are on average 6 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 44% of the time.
The average humidity is 63%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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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 12.4 °C (54.4 °F) and a maximum of 20.8 °C (69.4 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 8 °C (46 °F). However, it dropped to 3.6 °C (38.5 °F) in May 1991.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (81 °F). However, it reached 31 °C (87.8 °F) in May 2001.
Precipitation amounts to 175 mm (6.9 in), distributed over 12 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 43% of the time.
The average humidity is 67%.
The average wind speed is 7 kph (4 mph).

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June is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 20.6 °C (69 °F), with a minimum of 16.2 °C (61.1 °F) and a maximum of 25 °C (76.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 11.5 °C (52.5 °F). However, it dropped to 9.2 °C (48.6 °F) in June 1997.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 30.5 °C (87 °F). However, it reached 34.8 °C (94.6 °F) in June 2019.
Precipitation amounts to 165 mm (6.5 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 7.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 49% of the time.
The average humidity is 66%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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July, the warmest month of the year, is generally a warm to hot month. The average temperature is of 22.7 °C (73 °F), with a minimum of 18.1 °C (64.6 °F) and a maximum of 27.3 °C (81.1 °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 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 34.4 °C (93.9 °F) in July 2006.
Precipitation amounts to 160 mm (6.3 in), distributed over 8 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 55% of the time.
The average humidity is 64%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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August is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 22.3 °C (72 °F), with a minimum of 17.9 °C (64.1 °F) and a maximum of 26.7 °C (80.1 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 13.5 °C (56.5 °F). However, it dropped to 10.2 °C (50.4 °F) in August 1995.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 31 °C (88 °F). However, it reached 35.9 °C (96.6 °F) in August 2003.
Precipitation amounts to 155 mm (6.1 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 56% of the time.
The average humidity is 68%.
The average wind speed is 6 kph (4 mph).

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September is generally a warm month. The average temperature is of 18.2 °C (65 °F), with a minimum of 14.2 °C (57.5 °F) and a maximum of 22.2 °C (71.9 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 10 °C (49.5 °F). However, it dropped to 5.8 °C (42.4 °F) in September 1995.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 27 °C (80 °F). However, it reached 31.8 °C (89.2 °F) in September 2016.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 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 51% of the time.
The average humidity is 73%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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October is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 13.6 °C (57 °F), with a minimum of 10.3 °C (50.5 °F) and a maximum of 17 °C (62.5 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 5.5 °C (41.5 °F). However, it dropped to 0.6 °C (33.1 °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 (72.5 °F). However, it reached 28.9 °C (84 °F) in October 2018.
Precipitation amounts to 145 mm (5.7 in), distributed over 9 days.
The day lasts on average 10 hours and 55 minutes.
There are on average 4.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 80%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).

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November is generally a mild month. The average temperature is of 8.7 °C (48 °F), with a minimum of 5.7 °C (42.3 °F) and a maximum of 11.6 °C (52.8 °F).
On the coldest nights, which normally occur at the end of the month, the temperature usually drops to around 1 °C (34 °F). However, it dropped to -2.9 °C (26.8 °F) in November 1998.
On the warmest days, which normally occur at the beginning of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 17 °C (63 °F). However, it reached 22.4 °C (72.3 °F) in November 1995.
Precipitation amounts to 170 mm (6.7 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 37% of the time.
The average humidity is 77%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 5 kph (3 mph).

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December is generally a quite cold month. The average temperature is of 4.9 °C (41 °F), with a minimum of 2 °C (35.6 °F) and a maximum of 7.8 °C (46 °F).
On the coldest nights of the month, the temperature usually drops to around -2 °C (28 °F). However, it dropped to -6.2 °C (20.8 °F) in December 1996.
On the warmest days of the month, the temperature usually reaches around 14.5 °C (58 °F). However, it reached 19.6 °C (67.3 °F) in December 1991.
Precipitation amounts to 75 mm (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 3.5 hours of sunshine per day. So, the sun shines 42% of the time.
The average humidity is 76%. Hence, the air is normally humid.
The average wind speed is 4 kph (3 mph).