CLIMATE
Average Temperatures		Average Annual Precipitation
Bern	Lugano	Bern	Lugano
January 0° C 32° F	January 2° C 36° F	990 mm (40 in)	1750 mm (69 in)
July 19° C 65° F	July 22° C 71° F

On the plateau and lower valleys of Switzerland a temperate climate prevails, with a mean annual temperature of about 10° C (about 50° F). The temperature decreases about 2° C (about 3° F) for every additional 300 m (about 1000 ft) of elevation. Precipitation also varies considerably according to elevation. Precipitation on the plateau and in the lower valleys is about 910 mm (about 36 in) annually; the higher regions generally receive more precipitation. Much of the precipitation occurs during the winter in the form of snow; the peaks of most mountains about 2700 m (about 9000 ft) or higher are snow-covered throughout the year. Large glaciers are at higher elevations, especially in the Alps. The bise, a cold, northerly wind, predominates in the winter, and the foehn, a warm, dry southeasterly wind, predominates during the rest of the year.

LAND
Area	Highest Point	Lowest Point
41,288 sq km (15,941 sq mi)	Dufourspitze, 4634 m (15,203 ft)	Lake Maggiore, 194 m (636 ft)