After the Pentecost weekend brought the first slivers of summer to the alpine nation, this week is set to see the hot season arrive in force. Switzerland will soon be gripped by the first heatwave of the summer starting on June 11, with temperatures rising up to 34 degrees celsius.
After a week of heat, rainfall and thunderstorms, a wave of warm air and high pressure is set to send the mercury skywards across Switzerland. This will begin with clear sunny skies on Wednesday, with temperatures rising to between 26 and 29 degrees.
Things will really be sent into high gear on June 12, when temperatures will rise above the 30-degree barrier amid patches of clouds. The hottest weather is expected in Geneva, Basel, and Canton Valais, where highs of 33 degrees are possible - making a refreshing dip in a lake, river or swimming pool a necessity.
The weather is forecast to reach its apex on June 13. Lucerne, Zurich and Bern will bathe in 32-degree heat, those in Basel will see 33-degree conditions, while those in Valais and Geneva will receive the hottest temperatures of 34 degrees. For those headed outside, be sure to drink plenty of water and apply sunscreen if you plan to be outdoors for a long period of time.
The heatwave is expected to end dramatically from Friday evening onwards, when heavy thunderstorms and rain showers are possible across the country, with the notable exceptions of Geneva, Lausanne, Basel, Aarau and Lugano. These thunderstorms will wash across the country on June 14, and by June 15, the whole country could be subjected to storms.
Average temperatures will also begin to fall from the low to mid-30s on Friday and Saturday, to between 23 and 28 degrees by Sunday. The beginning of next week is forecast to be cloudy with some rain showers, with temperatures between 21 and 27 degrees.
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