Switzerland to get hotter and drier with less snow
Will we soon be praying for snow?
Keystone / Gian Ehrenzeller
By the middle of the century, Switzerland’s climate will be drier and warmer, with less snow and more intense precipitation, according to scenarios drawn up by federal weather agency MeteoSuisse. However, the effects will vary greatly depending on the canton and season.
This content was published on
2 minutes
RTS/jc
Português
pt
Suíça deve ficar mais quente, mais seca e com menos neve
The projections developed by the federal government’s National Centre for Climate Services under the direction of MeteoSuisse, look at likely climate developments with and without climate protection measures, the agency said on TuesdayExternal link.
In the long term, the average amount of precipitation and its frequency will decrease in the summer in all cantons. Summer periods without rain will be longer. For example, in the northern town of Buchs they are projected to last on average 1.4 days longer if no climate protection measures are taken, and 2.1 days longer in the southwestern town of Sion.
There will also be more tropical days, says Meteosuisse. On the hottest summer days, the thermometer will be 2 to 5.5 degrees higher than today. Scorching summers could become the norm and heat waves will be more frequent and more extreme.
Low-lying urban areas will be particularly vulnerable. Without climate protection measures, the cantons of Zurich, Geneva and Ticino, for example, could have three to four times as many tropical days in 2060 as they do today, according to the projections.
Heavy precipitation is likely to be more frequent and intense than at present. All seasons will be affected, but particularly winter. In the coldest months of the year, for example, the highest daily precipitation could increase by an average of up to 9%, depending on the region.
Milder winters with less snow
Winters are predicted to be milder by the middle of the century, with precipitation mainly in the form of rain, not snow. In the southeastern canton of Graubünden, for example, the number of days with fresh snow will decrease “significantly” at all altitudes.
In regions between 1,600 and 2,000 metres above sea level, there will be around 20 fewer days of snow in 2060, Meteosuisse predicts. The implementation of climate protection measures would limit this decrease to an average of 14 days, it says.
How is your country dealing with the return of stolen artifacts?
Western nations like Switzerland often have to deal with the process of recovering or returning looted artifacts which have been illegally imported. What’s the situation like in your country?
What do you think Switzerland’s Alain Berset can bring to the Council of Europe?
The former interior minister is to become the first Swiss Secretary General of the Council of Europe – which issues should his five-year term focus on?
Sylvain Saudan, ‘skier of the impossible’, dies aged 87
This content was published on
The Swiss father of extreme skiing pioneered descents from the Alps to the Himalayas – and became the sport’s first star.
Hayek family buys additional Swatch shares for nearly CHF11 million
This content was published on
Following the acquisition of registered shares worth over CHF20.6 million on Monday, the Hayek family made another purchase on Tuesday.
Suicide capsule to be used in Switzerland this year, says euthanasia organisation
This content was published on
The organisation “The Last Resort” has confirmed that the suicide capsule Sarco is to be used in Switzerland. This should happen this year, it said.
Ukrainian children flown to Switzerland for cancer treatment
This content was published on
The Swiss air rescue service Rega flew two Ukrainian children with cancer to Switzerland from a hospital in Kyiv hit by Russian missiles.
Swiss Solidarity raises over CHF10 million for victims of extreme weather
This content was published on
The money raised will be used to help those affected by the recent storms and flooding in the cantons of Ticino, Graubünden, and Valais.
Swiss giant Roche given green light for lung cancer drug in Canada
This content was published on
According to a recent study, Roche’s Alecensaro reduced the risk of recurrence or death by 76% compared to chemotherapy alone.
Swiss luxury watch market hit hard by China-led slump
This content was published on
Sales of Swiss-made luxury watches are in sharp retreat as nervous consumers reconsider splashing out on expensive timepieces and demand slumps.
Switzerland’s ‘disappointing’ contribution to an emissions-free planet
This content was published on
If all countries had a climate policy like Switzerland's, global temperatures could rise by 4°C by the end of the century.
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.