Places / Zermatt
UV index at Zermatt, Switzerland
Check another placeLoading today’s UV…
- Low 0 to 2
- Moderate 3 to 5
- High 6 to 7
- Very high 8 to 10
- Extreme 11+
Hour-by-hour numbers
| Time | UV index | Level |
|---|
The next few days
Each day’s UV curve and peak, drawn on the same scale so you can compare. The forecast reaches roughly four days ahead.
What to do today
About Zermatt
Zermatt sits at 1,608 metres beneath the Matterhorn, and a train and cable cars lift visitors to viewpoints above 3,000 metres in under an hour. That rapid climb, plus permanent snow and glaciers, makes it a place where UV catches many visitors out.
Elevation and your real UV
The forecast on this page covers the general area around Zermatt. Weather models don’t resolve individual peaks and valleys, so treat it as the level of Zermatt village (5,276 ft). The WHO says UV rises by 10% to 12% for every 1,000 metres you climb. Using that rule of thumb:
| Place | Elevation | Compared with baseline |
|---|---|---|
| Zermatt village | 1,608 m (5,276 ft) | Baseline |
| Gornergrat | 3,089 m (10,135 ft) | about 15% to 18% more UV |
| Klein Matterhorn | 3,883 m (12,740 ft) | about 23% to 27% more UV |
| The Matterhorn summit | 4,478 m (14,692 ft) | about 29% to 34% more UV |
Read the peak UV from the chart above, then adjust it up for where you’ll actually be. There’s a worked example in UV at altitude, on snow and under clouds.
When UV is strongest here
Summer is the main walking season, with the high trails opening as snow melts. Snow and glaciers stay all year on the higher slopes, and summer skiing happens on the Theodul Glacier area above the village. In winter, snow covers everything, and bright days are intense.
On the trail
Village-level trails can be pleasant and shaded. But the higher you go, the more open, snowy and reflective it gets. A quick lift ride to the top can put you in high UV within minutes, with little time to acclimatise or apply protection.
Sun protection tips for Zermatt
- Apply sunscreen and put on your sunglasses before you take the lift. The change in exposure is sudden.
- Glacier glasses or good wraparound sunglasses are worth having on any snowfield.
- Snow can reflect up to 80% of UV. Cover under your chin, nose and ears.
- Cloud can sit over the peaks while the sky is thin. UV still gets through.
Similar places
Related guides
- What to Wear Hiking for Sun Protection: A Practical Guide
- UV at Altitude, Snow and Clouds: Why You Burn Faster
- When Is UV Strongest During the Day? Best Times to Hike
Elevations are rounded published figures. UV forecasts are model estimates for the area and can differ from what you experience on the ground. This is general information about sun safety and isn’t medical advice. Last updated September 20, 2026.