Thunder and lightning lash large parts of Switzerland
Heavy thunderstorms are not a new phenomenon in Switzerland as this picture from 2006 proves. Lightning striking the city of Zurich.
Keystone/Alessandro Della Bella
Heavy thunderstorms have hit regions north of the Alps, temporarily interrupting flights from the country’s main airport and prompting the shutdown of a nuclear reactor.
More than 16,000 lighting bolts were recorded in central and north-eastern regions during the night from Monday into Tuesday, according to the SRF weather service. The weather front also brought a massive downpour of rain, notably in eastern Switzerland.
There are no reports of major damage so far.
Flights out of Zurich were delayed and two planes bound for the Netherlands and for Portugal were struck by lightning shortly after take-off. They returned safely to Zurich, according to the Swiss International AirlineExternal link.
The Beznau nuclear power plant 30km north-west of Zurich was also struck by lightning. The Swiss nuclear safety inspectorateExternal link said one of the reactors automatically shut down while energy output was temporarily reduced from the second reactor.
Weather experts say the number of lightning bolts is an indication of the intensity of a thunderstorm, but most bolts discharge their electricity in the clouds and don’t reach the ground.
Last night’s storm is considered intense but not exceptional during the hot season.
More
More
What ‘dangerously hot’ means in Switzerland
This content was published on
High temperatures have caused MeteoSwiss to issue the highest heatwave warnings since 2015 in some areas.
Should Switzerland take measures to support its struggling industries?
Industrial policies are back in fashion, not only in the United States but also in the EU. Should Switzerland, where various industries are struggling, draw inspiration from such policies?
Swiss plan 1,600 extra trains for Eurovision, Women’s EURO 2025 and other events
This content was published on
Swiss Federal Railways is planning to operate 1,600 additional trains to transport passengers to special events in 2025, such as the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 and the Eurovision Song Contest.
Swiss study: higher prices for cheese with protected geographical indication
This content was published on
Indications of geographical origin play a central role in the cheese trade, a study by the Agroscope research centre shows.
Swiss campaigners launch another ‘responsible business initiative’
This content was published on
A coalition has launched a new "responsible business initiative", urging the government to ensure that Swiss-based multinationals and their subsidiaries abroad respect human rights and protect the environment.
Swiss court suspends Geneva plan to ban single-use plastics
This content was published on
A Geneva court has suspended a ban on the sale of single-use plastics in the city, which was due to be introduced on January 1. This follows an appeal by Swiss retailers to the Federal Court.
Swiss cable car firms and hotels report positive winter so far
This content was published on
The Swiss cable car association and Switzerland Tourism have reported higher visitor numbers at winter resorts over the Christmas and New Year period compared to 2023/24.
UBS expects Swiss National Bank to record CHF80bn profit in 2024
This content was published on
The Swiss National Bank (SNB) is expected to make a net profit of CHF80 billion ($88.4 billion) in 2024, according to UBS.
This content was published on
Consumer prices fell last year in Switzerland, new figures show. Higher rents and electricity prices were partially offset by lower prices for gas and prescription drugs.
This content was published on
New data from the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) shows that flu cases doubled in Switzerland between mid and late December.
Swiss bank Julius Bär sells its Brazilian operation
This content was published on
Swiss private bank Julius Bär has signed an agreement to sell its operation in Brazil for 615 million reais, or CHF91 million ($100.7 million).
Historian claims Swiss banks may hold further Second World War secrets
This content was published on
Bank archives could still hold secrets about Swiss actions during the Second World War and should be re-examined, especially those of UBS, says Marc Perrenoud, a historian who worked on the Bergier Commission.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
Hot weather causes halt to TGV trains between Geneva and France
This content was published on
The international TGV rail link between Geneva and France is interrupted until Sunday due to tracks that have been deformed by the hot weather.
Paddle-boarding mishaps causing a headache for insurer
This content was published on
Stand-up paddle-boarding, a trendy Swiss summer sport, is not as peaceful and harmless as it seems, says a Swiss accident insurance provider.
Bears get 15-kilo ice lollies to cool down in heatwave
This content was published on
Bears at Servion Zoo in western Switzerland have been given ice lollies to help them keep cool as a heat wave intensifies across parts of the country.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.