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Weather & Climate in Orsières, Switzerland
Temperature, precipitation, air quality, natural hazards, and monthly weather data.
Orsières has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 43°F (6°C). Winters average 29°F in January while summers reach 58°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year, above the national average. Annual precipitation totals 48.6 inches (wetter than the 38-inch national average). The area receives 22.3 inches of snow annually, a moderate snowfall amount. The city sits at an elevation of 2,943 feet.
Temperature
29°F Jan (-2°C)
58°F Jul (15°C)
| Annual Average | 42.7°F |
| 21% below US avg | |
| January Average | 29°F (-2°C) |
| July Average | 58°F (15°C) |
| Sunny Days | 248 days/yr |
Geography
| Elevation | 2,943 ft (897 m) |
| Area | 63.7 sq mi (165.0 km²) |
| Population Density | 43/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 46.0290°N, 7.1444°W |
| Timezone | Europe/Zurich |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
Earthquake History
1,069 earthquakes (M2.5+) recorded within 150 km since 1990. Strongest on record: M4.7.
| Feb 14, 1999 | 3 km NNE of Belfaux, Switzerland | M4.7 | 92 km | 10 km |
| Feb 11, 1991 | 5 km ESE of Briançon, France | M4.6 | 133 km | 14 km |
| Jul 15, 1996 | 3 km NE of Chilly, France | M4.5 | 90 km | 5 km |
| Dec 14, 1994 | 7 km SSE of Amancy, France | M4.5 | 61 km | 10 km |
| Mar 12, 2022 | 3 km S of Faverges, France | M4.5 | 75 km | 3 km |
| Jun 14, 1993 | 3 km S of Vogogna, Italy | M4.4 | 89 km | 10 km |
| Nov 21, 1995 | 1 km SW of Collegno, Italy | M4.4 | 111 km | 22 km |
| Jul 25, 2011 | 5 km NW of Cantalupa, Italy | M4.4 | 117 km | 25 km |
| May 24, 1995 | 7 km NE of Le Chenit, Switzerland | M4.4 | 94 km | 6 km |
| Jul 23, 1996 | 4 km W of Choisy, France | M4.4 | 88 km | 10 km |
| Jun 30, 2010 | 3 km NW of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville, France | M4.3 | 86 km | 2 km |
| Apr 29, 2003 | 2 km SSW of Varen, Switzerland | M4.3 | 46 km | 8 km |
| Mar 31, 1996 | 7 km NNW of Bionaz, Italy | M4.3 | 22 km | 5 km |
| Feb 11, 1990 | northern Italy | M4.3 | 119 km | 10 km |
| May 12, 2005 | 1 km NW of Oensingen, Switzerland | M4.2 | 148 km | 25 km |
| Aug 22, 2003 | 6 km NNW of Savièse, Switzerland | M4.2 | 32 km | 4 km |
| May 20, 1999 | 4 km SSE of Plaffeien, Switzerland | M4.2 | 76 km | 2 km |
| May 14, 2004 | 0 km SSE of Chiusa di San Michele, Italy | M4.2 | 104 km | 10 km |
| Jul 30, 2016 | 0 km SSW of Fleccia-Chianavasso, Italy | M4.2 | 121 km | 11 km |
| May 14, 1999 | 9 km NW of Brienz, Switzerland | M4.2 | 106 km | 5 km |
Source: USGS Earthquake Catalog (M2.5+, 1990–2025). Sorted by magnitude.
Tsunami History
3 tsunamis recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 4.0 m (13 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 1601 | LAKE LUCERNE | Eruption + Earthquake | 4.0 m | 8 | 135 km |
| 1996 | LAKE BRIENZ | Meteorological | 0.5 m | — | 100 km |
| 563 | LAKE GENEVA | Meteorological | — | — | 45 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 29°F (-2°C) | 4.4 in | Coldest |
| February | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.6 in | |
| March | 34°F (1°C) | 3.7 in | |
| April | 39°F (4°C) | 3.5 in | |
| May | 48°F (9°C) | 3.9 in | |
| June | 54°F (12°C) | 4.2 in | |
| July | 58°F (15°C) | 3.5 in | |
| August | 59°F (15°C) | 3.7 in | Warmest |
| September | 53°F (11°C) | 3.3 in | Driest |
| October | 45°F (7°C) | 4.2 in | |
| November | 35°F (2°C) | 4.7 in | |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 4.9 in | Wettest |
Orsières has a seasonal temperature swing of 30°F / from 29°F in January to 59°F in August. Total annual precipitation is 48.6 inches, with December being the wettest month (4.9") and September the driest (3.3").