Snow to return to the lowlands as Switzerland braces for cold snap
By Jan de Boer
In bad news for those who were hoping that balmy temperatures and blue skies would remain until the autumn, the latest forecasts show that Switzerland's false spring will be coming to an end. Conditions across the country are set to cool, with the snow line expected to drop to 500 metres by Sunday.
Cold snap and snow on their way to Switzerland from Friday
After weeks of warm, spring-like temperatures, the weather in Switzerland is now forecast to veer back into the depths of winter - at least temporarily. Things will begin to cool on March 13, when temperatures will fall to between 7 and 9 degrees celsius. Scattered showers and clouds will dominate areas of the mountains. The day will also begin with rain in Swiss cities, though skies will gradually clear from the west as the day goes on.
There’ll be no such luck on Friday. Clouds will be the norm across the country, with heavy rain expected in the eastern Alps. Crucially, the snow line will begin to drop from 1.000 metres above sea level on Thursday to between 600 and 800 metres by Friday - for reference, Uetliberg in Zurich and Le Mont-sur-Lausanne sit at 870 and 702 metres respectively.
On Saturday, heavy cloud, wind and occasional rain will be felt throughout the day, and the snow line will drop again to between 500 and 800 metres. City temperatures will range from 2 degrees in the morning to 5 degrees in the afternoon, while ski resorts should see heavy snowfall and temperatures well below freezing. Things will be equally chilly on Sunday, with rainfall the norm.
Bright sunshine is on its way next week
Luckily for those pining for the return of spring, the wintery conditions in Switzerland will not last for long. From March 17, the mercury will rise to between 4 and 10 degrees in the lowlands, and the sun will make its first appearance in days.
According to long-term forecasts, bright sunshine will then bathe Switzerland from March 18 to 20. Though people across the cantons will wake up to frosty sub-zero mornings, the temperature will warm up to between 10 and 15 degrees by the afternoons.
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Jan studied History at the University of York and Broadcast Journalism at the University of Sheffield. Though born in York, Jan has lived most of his life in Zurich and has worked as a journalist, writer and editor since 2016.
While he has plunged head-first back into life in Switzerland since returning to the country in 2020, he still enjoys a taste of home at pub quizzes and karaoke nights.Read more