Weather

Switzerland
The drastic differences in altitudes between areas of the country result in varying climates. The South has a Mediterranean climate, but most of the country is temperate. The mountaintops are snow-covered year-round, but much of the mountain snow begins to melt around April.

France
Northeastern areas have warm summers and cool winters. Rainfall is distributed throughout the year with some snow likely in the winter. The Jura Mountains have an alpine climate, with some snow year-round. The South has a warm, Mediterranean climate.

Italy
Italy has a largely temperate climate with regional variations. In summer, the North is warm with occasional rainfall, the Central region is somewhat stifled by humidity, and the South scorches under the dry heat. In winter, cold, damp and foggy conditions dominate in Milan, Turin and Venice. Tuscany’s winter temperatures approach freezing, while the South is much warmer, averaging 50 F–60 F.

Austria
Austria enjoys a temperate Central European climate with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot with cool nights. In Vienna and other low-lying cities, July and August temperatures during the day can get uncomfortably hot. Winters are cold, with below freezing temperatures in January and February. The ski season in the Alps runs from December to April but the mountains are popular with hikers and climbers over the summer when the weather is usually warm and bright.

Germany
Coastal regions of Germany have a temperate climate with warm summers and mild cloudy winters. Inland, the climate is more continental with warmer summers and colder winters. The Alpine and elevated regions have cooler weather and more rain.