After a chilly start to the week, springtime is set to arrive in full force in Switzerland from March 5 onwards. Alongside the balmy temperatures, the first batch of Saharan dust is set to arrive in the alpine nation, increasing the chances of blood rain and possibly turning the sky orange.
In a sign that spring 2025 has well and truly arrived, the mercury across Switzerland is expected to rise this week. From Wednesday, springtime temperatures of up to 17 degrees celsius are forecast in mountain valleys, thanks to a warm foehn wind.
In Swiss cities, the temperature will rise from between 10 and 11 degrees on Monday to between 14 and 17 degrees by Saturday - the warmest city will be Basel. Across the week, residents will also be treated to a lot of sunshine, with the best weather forecast for March 5, 6, and 8.
According to long-term forecasts, this week is also set to see the first wave of Saharan dust reach Switzerland. Thanks to the warm southerly winds, dust is set to spread across Central Europe for several days starting on March 7 (Friday), though its arrival time may change as more accurate forecasts are made.
Thanks to strong winds, fine dust from North Africa can sometimes be carried high into the atmosphere before falling several thousand kilometres away. The dust is typically made up of aluminosilicates, quartz and iron oxides and can be irritative for those with asthma or allergies.
As a result of the dust, the once-blue skies will likely be given a milky pale hue during the day, and while it is difficult to predict, the sky may even appear orange in colour around dawn and dusk. Saharan dust comes to Switzerland around 20 times a year, mostly in the spring and autumn.
With rainfall forecast for Sunday, conditions are also perfect for "blood rain." However, before you rush to call the local priest, don’t worry: blood rain occurs when rainfall and the Saharan dust mix together. Thanks to the combination of dust and water, the rain that falls can appear reddish in colour. In some cases, the blood rain can also form sandy pools in the street and stain clothing.
Despite the evil-sounding name, only drivers need to be concerned about the blood rain. Be sure to clean your vehicles carefully after blood rain, as the dust left on the vehicle could scratch the paint.