Avg High
Zurich in October
Avg Low
Rain
Daylight
11h
What to expect
In Zurich, October sits in mid-autumn, a shoulder-season month where the feel can shift as the season turns. Most days sit on the cooler side, with evenings that ease back comfortably. Daylight is moderate, so steady pacing works well. Comfort is usually predictable, so a standard day plan works well.
October in context
How it compares to the rest of the year in Zurich.
Hottest (avg)
#6 / 12
Wettest (avg)
#9 / 12
Daylight Hours
#8 / 12
Windiest (avg)
#11 / 12
Highest UV
#8 / 12
Most Humid
#3 / 12
Monthly climate breakdown
Temperature
- Daytime high
-
- Nighttime low
-
- Feels like (avg)
-
Sunshine
- Daylight hours
- 10.9 h
- UV index (max)
- 4
- Typical sun hours
- 06:45 - 17:37
Rain & Snow
- Total rain
-
- Rainy days
- 14 days
- Cloud cover (avg)
- 69%
- Snowfall
-
Humidity & Wind
- Humidity (avg)
- 83%
- Wind (avg)
-
- Wind (max gusts)
-
Daily climate explorer
Day 15 selected for October. Typical high 16.0°C and low 7.8°C.
Typical disruptions in October
Based on 30 years of historical data, these are the disruption patterns most likely to affect plans in October.
Cold High impact
Cold feels-like nights Measures: Cold feels-like nights (min <=5C). Observed about 42% of days (13.1 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.1 days / month
~42% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.1 days / month
- Probability ~42% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold feels-like nights are possible on ~13 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Rain High impact
Rain disruption Measures: Likely rain disruption days. Observed about 20% of days (6.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.2 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.2 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~27mm (P95)
Rain disruption risk appears on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Washout risk Measures: Washout day risk. Observed about 20% of days (6.1 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
6.1 days / month
~20% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 6.1 days / month
- Probability ~20% of days
- Intensity Up to ~27mm (P95)
Washout conditions are possible on ~6 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Heavy rain days Measures: Heavy rain days (>=10mm). Observed about 11% of days (3.3 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.3 days / month
~11% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.3 days / month
- Probability ~11% of days
- Intensity Up to ~32mm (P95)
Heavy rain is possible on ~3 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Wind High impact
Stormy conditions Measures: Storm-impact proxy days. Observed about 3% of days (0.8 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.8 days / month
~3% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.8 days / month
- Probability ~3% of days
- Intensity Up to ~89km/h (P95)
Stormy conditions are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Wind High impact
Strong gusts Measures: Strong gust days (>=60 km/h). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~90km/h (P95)
Strong gusts are possible on ~1 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Show all disruptions (18 more)
Rain High impact
Washout run Measures: Multi-day washout runs. Observed about 1.3 days/month in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.3 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.3 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~23mm (P95)
Multi-day washout runs are possible on ~1 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Rain High impact
Very heavy rain Measures: Very heavy rain days (>=25mm). Observed about 2% of days (0.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~38mm (P95)
Very heavy rain is possible on ~0 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Visibility Moderate
Fog-likely signal Measures: Fog-likely visibility proxy. Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96% (P95)
Fog-likely conditions are possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Humidity Minor
High humidity Measures: High humidity days (RH >=80%). Observed about 75% of days (23.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
23.2 days / month
~75% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 23.2 days / month
- Probability ~75% of days
- Intensity Up to ~92% (P95)
High humidity is possible on ~23 days. Comfort and pace can drop quickly, so plan shorter outdoor blocks with air-conditioned backup stops.
Cloud Minor
Cloudy days Measures: Cloudy days (cloud cover >=60%). Observed about 69% of days (21.3 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
21.3 days / month
~69% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 21.3 days / month
- Probability ~69% of days
- Intensity Up to ~99% (P95)
Cloudy skies are possible on ~21 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet days Measures: Wet days (>=0.1mm). Observed about 53% of days (16.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
16.5 days / month
~53% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 16.5 days / month
- Probability ~53% of days
- Intensity Up to ~20mm (P95)
Measurable rain is possible on ~17 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Rainy hours Measures: Rain-hours signal (>=3h rain). Observed about 43% of days (13.4 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
13.4 days / month
~43% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 13.4 days / month
- Probability ~43% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Several rainy hours are possible on ~13 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cloud Minor
Mostly cloudy days Measures: Mostly cloudy days (cloud cover >=80%). Observed about 40% of days (12.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
12.5 days / month
~40% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 12.5 days / month
- Probability ~40% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Mostly cloudy skies are possible on ~12 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Rain Minor
Wet most of day Measures: Wet-most-of-day signal (>=6h rain). Observed about 33% of days (10.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
10.2 days / month
~33% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 10.2 days / month
- Probability ~33% of days
- Intensity Up to ~24h (P95)
Wet-most-of-day conditions are possible on ~10 days. Outdoor plans can become unreliable, so keep an indoor backup and flexibility around start times.
Cold Minor
Cold nights Measures: Cold nights (min <=5C). Observed about 22% of days (7.0 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
7.0 days / month
~22% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 7.0 days / month
- Probability ~22% of days
- Intensity Up to ~5°C (P95)
Cold nights are possible on ~7 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cloud Minor
Overcast days Measures: Overcast days (cloud cover >=95%). Observed about 14% of days (4.5 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
4.5 days / month
~14% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 4.5 days / month
- Probability ~14% of days
- Intensity Up to ~100% (P95)
Overcast skies are possible on ~4 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Cold days Measures: Cold days (max <=10C). Observed about 13% of days (3.9 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.9 days / month
~13% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.9 days / month
- Probability ~13% of days
- Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)
Cold daytime conditions are possible on ~4 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Wind Minor
Gusty days Measures: Gusty days (>=40 km/h). Observed about 12% of days (3.7 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
3.7 days / month
~12% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 3.7 days / month
- Probability ~12% of days
- Intensity Up to ~72km/h (P95)
Gusty conditions are possible on ~4 days. Exposed activities and transport links are more likely to be disrupted, so keep sheltered alternatives ready.
Other Minor
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data Measures: Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data. Observed about 5% of days (1.6 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
1.6 days / month
~5% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 1.6 days / month
- Probability ~5% of days
- Intensity Up to ~96 (P95)
Low visibility proxy: same as fog-likely (RH ≥90% AND cloud ≥95%) — true visibility requires hourly visibility data is possible on ~2 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Snow Minor
Snow days Measures: Snow days (>=0.1mm snowfall). Observed about 2% of days (0.7 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.7 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.7 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~7.3mm (P95)
Snowfall is possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Freezing nights Measures: Freezing nights (min <=0C). Observed about 2% of days (0.6 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.6 days / month
~2% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.6 days / month
- Probability ~2% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-0°C (P95)
Freezing nights are possible on ~1 days. Fixed-time outdoor plans are safer with a backup option and flexible timing.
Cold Minor
Cold snap run Measures: Cold snap runs (>=3 cold days). Observed about 0.5 days/month in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.5 days / month
Probability unavailable
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.5 days / month
- Probability —
- Intensity Up to ~10°C (P95)
Cold snap runs are possible on ~1 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Cold Minor
Hard freeze nights Measures: Hard freeze nights (min <=-2C). Observed about 1% of days (0.2 days/month) in October. Historical risk signal only, not a day-by-day forecast.
0.2 days / month
~1% of days
Why this matters
- Expected days 0.2 days / month
- Probability ~1% of days
- Intensity Up to ~-2°C (P95)
Hard freeze conditions are possible on ~0 days. Long outdoor blocks become harder to sustain, so layer up and keep a warm indoor fallback nearby.
Frequently asked questions
Is October a good time to visit Zurich?
Typical October days in Zurich reach highs of 15°C (59°F) with nights around 7°C (45°F). It usually feels cool by day and cold after dark. Overall, October sits in the middle of the Zurich climate range.
What are temperatures like in October?
In October, you can usually expect highs of 15°C (59°F) and lows near 7°C (45°F). That means cool days and cold nights, so pack layers you can add or remove.
How much does it rain in October?
Rainfall in October averages 83 mm (3.3 in) across roughly 14 days. Overall it is a quite rainy time of year, so a light rain jacket and waterproof shoes are very handy.
How many hours of daylight are there in October?
You can expect about 11 hours of daylight in October. Sunrise is typically around 06:45 and sunset near 17:37. Days are on the shorter side, so plan activities around limited daylight.
How strong is the sun in October?
UV levels are moderate (around 4); sunscreen and sunglasses are still a good idea.
Is it windy in October?
In October, average wind speeds are around 6 km/h (4 mph), with gusts on the windiest days reaching about 44 km/h (27 mph). On the ground, it is it often feels breezy, especially in more exposed spots or along the coast.