What April feels like in Zurich
For Zurich, April is the heart of spring. Days are on the cool side, the kind of weather that suits brisk sightseeing. After dark the temperature drops clearly: nights are cold. Damp air makes the cold feel rawer than the numbers alone suggest.
Rain in Zurich in April
Expect a mix of dry and wet days, with rain about one day in 3. Wet days average about 6.9 mm (0.3 in), enough to soak you without an umbrella. That is close to Zurich's typical rain per wet day for the whole year (about 7.4 mm). It is among the three driest months of the year.
Daylight and sunshine in April
On 15 April the sun rises at about 6:39 am and sets around 8:13 pm local time, giving 13 h 34 min of daylight. The days are stretching out — 1 h 45 min more daylight than mid-March. The sun is out for roughly 74% of those daylight hours, so there are plenty of bright spells.
How April compares to the rest of the year
Ranked by average high, April comes out as the 6th coolest month in Zurich. Afternoons run 4.5°C (8.1°F) warmer than in March, with 6 mm more rain. May continues the upward trend. The next month's average high: 18.1°C (64.6°F).
Who April suits
- Sightseeing: a good fit — comfortable enough to explore on foot all day.
- Parks & outdoor: less ideal — too cool to sit outside for long.
- Hiking: less ideal — trails are cool.
Tips for visiting Zurich in April
Versatile Layers
Days are noticeably warmer than nights — layers you can add or remove.
Rain Protection
A compact umbrella and a light waterproof jacket.
Warm Layers
Insulated layers and warm shoes for the cold hours.
Sunglasses
Bright days make sunglasses worth packing.
Quick questions
How warm is Zurich in April?
It feels cool: typical highs are 14.9°C (58.8°F), with lows near 4.6°C (40.3°F).
Does it rain a lot in Zurich in April?
Quite a lot — 83 mm spread over about 12 days.
What should I wear in Zurich in April?
Pack versatile layers, rain protection, warm layers and sunglasses. Add a layer for after dark.
Is April or May better for visiting Zurich?
April, narrowly: it ranks #6 of 12 among Zurich's months, against #7 for the other. May is warmer and has more rainy days.