Switzerland is set to face its first batch of wintery weather this week, with temperatures falling across the country starting Wednesday. What’s more, some towns and ski resorts are expected to get their first dusting of snow.
Initially, conditions in the alpine nation will remain summery, with bright blue skies and temperatures of up to 20 degrees celsius forecast in northern cities on September 10. The hottest conditions will be south of the mountains in Canton Ticino, with locals bathing in 27-degree heat.
Tuesday will also be one of the last opportunities for a warm dip in Swiss lakes. Lakes Zurich, Geneva and Constance will see temperatures of between 20 and 24 degrees.
Then, a vortex of ice-cold polar air is set to plunge Switzerland into an early but brief winter, sweeping across the country starting on Tuesday night. This icy wind will be accompanied by dark clouds and rainfall, with northern cities like Basel not expected to see the sun until the following Tuesday.
As a result of the wind, the mercury will begin to fall from September 11, down to 12 degrees by Thursday. The polar air will be added to by an area of low pressure over the Adriatic Sea, which will prolong the poor weather conditions and cool Switzerland down further.
Thanks to the cold air and rainfall, MeteoNews confirmed that the snowline in Switzerland will fall to 1.500 metres above sea level for the first time this winter. This means that some towns and cities should see their first snow from Wednesday onwards.
Much of this snowfall is expected in Swiss ski resorts. In St. Moritz, it will start snowing from Thursday and continue into Saturday, with temperatures dropping to near freezing by Friday. Other locations like Arosa, Pontresina and Saas-Fee will also see snowfall by the weekend. Between 10 and 40 centimetres of snow are expected.
The sudden cold snap hides what has been a very hot September so far. MeteoNews noted that in northern and eastern areas, temperatures this month have been four degrees above the 10-year average. Thanks to the polar vortex, this average should be taken back down to normal.
Sadly for those in mountainous areas in the west, while nightly temperatures are expected to drop below freezing, no snowfall is expected. It will also be some time before the major Swiss cities will see their first powder - temperatures in Basel, Zurich, Bern, Geneva and Lausanne will only fall to seven degrees by Saturday, and only at night.
Daytime temperatures will remain between 12 and 14 degrees, alongside heavy cloud and rainfall. Those seeking the remains of the summer warmth should take the train to Ticino, where conditions will be sunny and 20 degrees.
Just as quickly as winter arrives, MeteoSwiss forecast that Switzerland will warm up again by this Sunday, with temperatures climbing to around 16 degrees. Rain will also return, but conditions will remain comparatively warm.
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