Several Swiss rivers reached record temperatures this month, including the Aare, here at Uttigen, between Thun and Bern
Keystone / Anthony Anex
Eleven river monitoring stations in Switzerland have recorded the highest temperatures since measurements began. Twenty-two further stations recorded record temperatures for July.
The Aare at Thun (23.4°C) and at Bern (23.9°C) has never been hotter, the Federal Office for the Environment said on Tuesday.
Federal data showed nine other measuring stations also breaking records: the Reuss near Seedorf (16.2°C), the Ticino near Riazzino (23.1°C), the Emme near Emmenmatt (22.5°C), the Allenbach near Adelboden (17.1°C), the Suze near Sonceboz (19.3°C), the Dischmabach near Davos (15.7°C), the Poschiavino near La Rösa (15.4°C), the Linth near Mollis (16.5°C) and the Inn near S-chanf (15.1°C).
In total, the Federal Office for the Environment measures the temperature of rivers and streams at 60 stations. The water temperature of lakes is mainly recorded in rivers flowing from the lakes.
Climate change consequences
In the long term the office noted a clear trend towards increased temperatures in Swiss waters. Climate change meant further increases were to be expected in the coming decades, it said.
Meanwhile, army helicopters were used on Tuesday morning to take water to animals in an alpine pasture in the central Swiss canton of Obwald. This is the first time the army has been called to deliver such assistance during the current period of heat and drought.
Other consequences of the current heatwave include a ban on open fires and fireworks ahead of Swiss National Day on August 1 and a ban on pumping water from rivers, streams and ponds. Some municipalities have also prohibited the filling of private swimming pools, the use of water sprinklers or the washing of cars.
Authorities in the mountain resort of Nendaz decided to refill a mountain lake situated at more than 2,200m above sea level which is home to a large population of amphibians and exceptional Alpine flora.
More
More
Swiss brace for heatwave and water shortage
This content was published on
An increasing number of local councils have restricted the use of water as a heatwave hit large parts of Switzerland.
Switzerland’s neighbours are ‘not role models’ in fiscal policy, says finance minister
This content was published on
Swiss finance minister Karin Keller-Sutter defended the country's compliance with the debt brake at a meeting of her party, the Radical-Liberals, on Saturday.
Pope Francis praises Swiss Guards’ patience with pilgrims
This content was published on
During a private audience on Saturday, Pope Francis praised the Swiss Guards for their "great patience" with pilgrims who visit the Vatican.
Swiss designer Kevin Germanier to design outfits for Eurovision presenters
This content was published on
Designer Kevin Germanier will dress the team of presenters at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest, which takes place in May in Basel.
Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter makes official visit to Austria
This content was published on
Karin Keller-Sutter, who took over the rotating Swiss presidency this year, has made her first official visit abroad as president to Austria.
This content was published on
The boss of Swiss Post, Roberto Cirillo, is stepping down at the end of March after six years in the job, the company announced on Friday.
This content was published on
The name and logo of the former Credit Suisse headquarters at Paradeplatz 8 in Zurich's financial centre were officially replaced by those of UBS on Friday.
Outgoing Swiss federal police chief warns of insufficient resources
This content was published on
The outgoing director of the Federal Office of Police (Fedpol), Nicoletta della Valle, has warned that officers, prosecutors and investigators in Switzerland have insufficient resources to do their work.
Swiss university inaugurates Europe’s most powerful centrifuge
This content was published on
The federal technology institute ETH Zurich has inaugurated Europe's most powerful geotechnical centrifuge. Researchers use the instrument to simulate the effects of natural hazards.
Swiss film industry reports successful year in 2024
This content was published on
Swiss films did well in cinemas in 2024, recording over 907,000 admissions, the Federal Statistical Office (FSO) reports. They accounted for almost 9% of all films shown last year in Switzerland.
Glencore and Rio Tinto held talks on mining’s biggest-ever potential merger, say reports
This content was published on
The Swiss-based mining and commodities group Glencore and the British company Rio Tinto reportedly held early-stage talks last year about combining their businesses.
More firework bans imposed as high temperatures continue
This content was published on
Continuing high temperatures and resulting drought have prompted more Swiss cantons to ban fireworks in the runup to August 1.
This content was published on
Low water levels in the Rhine, as well as logistical problems on European rail lines, are hitting supplies of oil products to Switzerland.
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.