Autumn storm expected in Switzerland this Thursday

Weather forecasters are predicting Switzerland’s first autumn storm to arrive on Thursday, October 23. Heavy rain and 80 to 90 km/h winds can be expected across the country from Thursday and into the weekend.

Switzerland’s first autumn storm expected on Thursday

Following a relatively cloudy but rain-free start to the autumn months in Switzerland, MeteoNews is predicting a change in the weather starting on Thursday. Swiss City Marathon spectators may want to bundle up and bring an umbrella!

The beginning of this week saw relatively mild temperatures, with a mixture of cloud and sun across most parts of the country. These conditions will continue on Wednesday, which is expected to be cloudy with some rain showers.

The weather in Switzerland will change quite dramatically on Thursday as cold, wet and windy conditions are predicted across the country. This will be caused by a storm depression developing over the English Channel and strengthening across Denmark and Germany. Air pressure will drop as it reaches Switzerland, creating the perfect conditions for the country’s first autumn storm.

Gale-force winds and rain in Switzerland over the weekend

According to MeteoNews, rain and strong winds with speeds of 80 to 90 km/h are expected on Thursday. An active cold front will move from west to east throughout the day, with temperatures reaching highs of 16 and lows of 8 degrees celsius.

At higher altitudes, in places such as Jura and in the Swiss mountains, the storm could create gale-force winds with speeds of 120 to 150 km/h. The snow line, where snow settles, rather than melts, will drop to 1.400 metres on Thursday.

The rain and high winds will continue over the weekend, with temperatures dropping to 10 degrees by Monday. Lows will reach just 3 degrees in the south, and the snow line will drop further to around 900 metres by Monday. 

SRF advises people in Switzerland to secure any loose objects, such as outdoor furniture, and to avoid forests where trees and branches could be dangerous in high winds. Travel in Switzerland may also be disrupted if routes are blocked by storm damage, so expect some potential delays.