Editing Geography of Switzerland (section)

==Climate==
<!--All numbers are based on the 1981-2010 period, see table for source. Do NOT make any time period update without updating all information and numbers-->
[[File:Koppen-Geiger_Map_v2_CHE_1991–2020.svg|thumb|300px|[[Köppen climate classification]] types of Switzerland]]
The geography of Switzerland encompasses a wide range of [[climate]]s, from subtropical to perennial snow climate. However, the lowlands are part of the [[temperate zone]] and typically experience neither extreme temperatures nor extreme weather conditions. In the [[Köppen climate classification]], the [[Swiss Plateau]] and most low-elevation areas are at the transition between [[oceanic climate]] (Cfb) and [[continental climate]] (Dfb). As a consequence, all four seasons (spring, summer, autumn and winter) are well marked and present distinct weather conditions. At the same time, the influence of the nearby seas (especially the [[Atlantic Ocean]]) tends to prevent extreme temperatures in summer and winter, with changeable, often overcast weather.<ref>[https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/the-climate-of-switzerland.html The Climate of Switzerland], [[Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology]] MeteoSwis. ("Switzerland's climate is heavily influenced by the Alps as well as by the Atlantic Ocean."). Retrieved 26-02-2021</ref> The [[Alps]], and in a minor way the [[Jura Mountains]], have a considerable impact on the Swiss climate. They influence it both on a horizontal level, by [[Mountain range#Climate|compartmentalizing]] it into distinct areas, and on a vertical level, by [[Altitudinal zonation|stratificating]] it into distinct layers. As a result, four other Köppen climate types are also found in Switzerland:<!--It is likely that without the Alps and Jura there would be only Cfb and Dfb--> [[humid subtropical climate]] (Cfa), [[subarctic climate]] (Dfc), [[tundra climate]] (ET) and [[ice cap climate]] (EF).

<!--The following paragraph concerns essentially low-elevation regions-->
At lower altitudes, the weather is generally moderate. On the Plateau, freezing temperatures generally occur during December-early March<ref>{{cite web| url = http://www.myswitzerland.com/en.cfm/about_switzerland/weather| title = Weather - Switzerland Tourism<!-- Bot generated title -->}}</ref> with an average temperature of {{convert|9|°C|°F|1}} for elevations between {{convert|400|-|600|m|ft|0}}. On the Plateau, the average [[Precipitation (meteorology)|precipitation]] is {{convert|1000|mm|in}} with a range of about {{convert|800|-|1300|mm|in|1}}.<ref name="BFS Environment" /> Ticino, on the south side of the Alps, is usually {{convert|2|-|4|C-change|F-change}} warmer, and wetter than the Plateau, with often different weather conditions, which are particularly noticeable when crossing the [[Gotthard Base Tunnel#Description|Gotthard]]<!--Illustrations--> or other major tunnels through the Alps.

<!--The following paragraph concerns essentially low-elevation regions-->
Horizontally, the low-elevation regions having a distinct climate are essentially the Plateau (north of the Alps), southern Switzerland (south of the Alps) and the inner valleys (neither really north of south of the Alps but well within them). To those can be added the northerly regions of [[Ajoie]], both cantons of Basel ([[canton of Basel-City]] and [[canton of Basel-Country]]) and [[canton of Schaffhausen]] (well beyond the Jura Mountains), which are comparable to the Plateau. In those regions, the lowest averages temperatures can be found on the Plateau ([[Bern]]: {{convert|8.8|°C|°F|1}}) or north of the Jura Mountains ([[Fahy]]: {{convert|8.9|°C|°F|1}}). On the other hand, the highest average temperatures are found south of the Alps ([[Locarno]]: {{convert|12.4|°C|°F|1}}, [[Lugano]]: {{convert|12.4|°C|°F|1}}), which are partially subtropical. The precipitation levels are also deeply affected by the Alps, with the highest rainfalls being experienced south of the Alps (Locarno: {{convert|1897|mm|in|1}}, [[Lugano]]: {{convert|1559|mm|in|1}}). In general, the proximity to the Alpine foothills increases the precipitations ([[Interlaken]] {{convert|1196|mm|in|1}}), [[Lucerne]]: {{convert|1173|mm|in|1}}), while places further away from the Alps experience less precipitation ([[Basel]]: {{convert|842|mm|in|1}}). The driest regions of the country are, however, deep within the Alps (the inner valleys), particularly in Valais ([[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]]: {{convert|603|mm|in|1}}), which is often described as "semi-arid",<ref>[https://www.bbc.com/travel/article/20210721-switzerlands-gravity-defying-solution Switzerland's gravity-defying solution], [[BBC]], 22 July 2021, ("The sight of a scuttling scorpion is a clue to the Valais semi-arid climate, where six species of cactus thrive, alongside figs and snakes.")</ref><ref>Christian Moser, [https://sgeo-ge.ch/les-bisses-du-valais-mythes-et-realites-par-christian-moser/ Les bisses du Valais : mythes et réalités], Société de Géographie de Genève, 11 July 2020  ("Si cette zone climatique que les géographes qualifient de semi-aride permet des cultures de céréales sans recours à l’irrigation, elle ne convient toutefois pas à une production intensive de fourrage indispensable à un élevage bovin.")</ref> but also in [[Graubünden]] ([[Chur]]: {{convert|849|mm|in|1}}). Precipitation levels do not always negatively correlate with sunshine hours. While Locarno is one of the wettest low-elevation locations in the country, it is also the one with the most sunshine hours (2,171). In comparison, the drier locations on the Plateau experience much less sunshine hours ([[Lucerne]]: 1,570, [[Zürich]]: 1,544). Being sheltered by the mountains, the regions well within the Alps also naturally experience more sunshine hours than the north side of the Alps (Sion: 2,093, Chur: 1,692).

The widest range of climates in Switzerland is spread vertically. As the elevation above sea-level ranges from {{convert|193|to|4634|m|ft}}, many [[ecosystems]] are naturally found, from the regions of olives, vines, oaks and beeches, pines and firs, to those of the high mountain pastures, rhododendrons, and of eternal snow. In general, rainfall increase with elevation, while temperature decrease with it. Just above the plains and the foothills zone, at roughly {{convert|800|m|ft|-3}}, is the [[Montane ecosystems|montane zone]], which still encompasses numerous inhabited regions of the Alps and Jura Mountains. In the montane zone, which comprehends a large diversity of ecosystems, coniferous trees and snowfall progressively replace deciduous tree and rainfall. At roughly {{convert|2000|m|ft|-3}} is the [[tree line]], which marks the beginning of the [[Alpine zone]]. The latter marks the end of the inhabited regions as well, with a few exceptions, such as [[Juf]]. The final layer lies above {{convert|3000|m|ft|-3}}. It is the snow zone ([[ice cap climate]]). It only concerns the high Alps, notably the [[Bernese Alps]] and [[Pennine Alps]]. The coldest meteorological station is at the [[Jungfraujoch]], and overlook one of Europe's largest glaciers. The Jura and Alpine foothills have more precipitation than the plains, with an average of {{convert|1200|-|1600|mm|in|1}}, while the high Alps may have over {{convert|3000|mm|in|1}}.

While the highest temperature ever recorded in Switzerland was {{cvt|41.5|C|F}} in August 2003 in [[Grono, Switzerland|Grono]], the lowest officially recorded was {{cvt|-41.8|C|F}} in January 1987 in [[La Brévine]]. Lower temperatures have also been registered, independently from the [[MeteoSwiss|Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology]], for instance at [[Glattalpsee]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.luzernerzeitung.ch/zentralschweiz/muotathal-klirrende-kaelte-auf-der-glattalp-ld.62680 |title=Muotathal: Klirrende Kälte auf der Glattalp |author=<!--Not stated--> |date=15 December 2009 |newspaper=[[Luzerner Zeitung]] |access-date= February 21, 2021|language=German |quote=Am 7. Februar 1991 wurde auf der Glattalp mit -52.5 Grad der schweizerische Minusrekord gemessen. |trans-quote=On February 7, 1991, the Swiss minus record was measured on the Glattalp with -52.5 degrees.}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto;"<!--All numbers in this table are based on the climate diagrams and charts published by MeteoSwiss-->
|+ '''Climatic diversity''' (period between 1981 and 2010)<ref>[https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/swiss-climate-in-detail/climate-normals/climate-diagrams-and-normals--per-station.html Climate diagrams and normals per station], [[Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology]] (MeteoSwiss), Retrieved 24-02-2021</ref>
! scope="col" style="width: 150px;" | Place
!Altitude of meteorological station (m)
!Average rainfall (mm per year)
!Average sunshine in August (%)<!--Generally the sunniest period of the year-->
!Average sunshine in December (%)<!--Generally the least sunny period of the year-->
!Average maximum temperature in July (°C)<!--Warmest period of the year-->
!Average minimum temperature in January (°C)<!--Coldest period of the year-->
!Illustration<!--Ideally including vegetation in the foreground. NOT in winter.-->
|-----
|[[Jungfraujoch]] <br> (Alps)
| align="right" |3571
| align="right" |>3000<ref>[https://www.meteoswiss.admin.ch/home/climate/swiss-climate-in-detail/climate-normals/norm-value-ch Norm value charts]{{Dead link|date=June 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}, [[Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology]] (MeteoSwiss), Retrieved 24-02-2021 (over 3000 mm according to Mean Yearly Precipitation map, no precise measurement)</ref>
| align="center" |49
| align="center" |48
| align="right" | +3.1
| align="right" | -15.7
| [[File:Sphinx et Jungfrau - img 06980.jpg|120px|The Sphinx and the Jungfraujoch. Note the prevalence of ice and snow and the absence of vegetation.]]
|-----
|[[Säntis]] <br> (Alps)
| align="right" |2501
| align="right" |2837
| align="center" |40
| align="center" |44
| align="right" | +8.8
| align="right" | -9.6
|[[File:Imposanter Säntis.jpg|120px|Below the summit of Säntis. Note the almost barren landscape with some patches of tundra and snow.]]
|-----
|[[Arosa]] <br> (Alps)
| align="right" |1878
| align="right" |1365
| align="center" |51
| align="center" |48
| align="right" | +15.4
| align="right" | -7.0
|[[File:Arosa Untersee.jpg|120px|Untersee in Arosa. Note the prevalence of coniferous forests and the presence of dwarf trees, indicating the proximity of the tree line.]]
|-----
|[[La Chaux-de-Fonds]] <br> (Jura Mountains)
| align="right" |1017
| align="right" |1441
| align="center" |50
| align="center" |35
| align="right" | +20.7
| align="right" | -6.0
| [[File:MaisonBlanche.jpg|120px|Maison Blanche in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Note the mixed coniferous-deciduous forest in background.]]
|-----
|[[Bern]] <br> (Swiss Plateau)<!--Bern / Zollikofen-->
| align="right" |553
| align="right" |1059
| align="center" |54
| align="center" |20
| align="right" | +24.3
| align="right" | -3.6
| [[File:Bern 007 (35250800705).jpg|120px|Aare river in Bern. Note the prevalence of deciduous trees.]]
|-----
|[[Sion, Switzerland|Sion]] <br> (Inner valleys)
| align="right" |482
| align="right" |603
| align="center" |64
| align="center" |50
| align="right" | +27.0
| align="right" | -3.6
| [[File:Valère castle in Sion, Switzerland, Photo by Giles Laurent.jpg|120px|Valère Basilica hill in Sion. Note the prevalence of steppic vegetation in the foreground and vineyards in the background.]]
|-----
|[[Locarno]] <br> (Southern Switzerland)<!--Locarno / Monti-->
| align="right" |367
| align="right" |1897
| align="center" |62
| align="center" |57
| align="right" | +27.1
| align="right" | +0.8
|[[File:Locarno from Monti Trinita.jpg|120px|Locarno from Monti Trinità. Note the presence of palm trees in the foreground and the brown mountains in the background, showing the prevalence of deciduous trees (before foliation) at even high elevations.]]
|-----
|}