With Switzerland enduring weeks of above-average temperatures and the occasional heatwave, MeteoNews has predicted that the summer of 2023 will be the second hottest ever recorded. Despite a relative lack of so-called "hot days" above 30 degrees celsius, higher average temperatures overall could see this summer take its place on the temperature podium.
As Switzerland moved past the midpoint of summer, MeteoNews announced that, thanks to climate change, mean temperatures in Switzerland are 2,5 degrees celsius higher than the long-term average for the time of year. So far, in areas north of the mountains the weather has been 3,1 degrees hotter than normal, compared to 1,5 degrees higher in the south.
As a result of the findings, the forecaster predicted that unless something dramatic happens in the coming weeks, the country is set to record its second hottest summer ever, the hottest being in 2003, when temperatures were 3,1 degrees higher than usual. Summer 2023 would claim the second place position from last year, when temperatures were an average of 2,35 degrees hotter than they should be.
Despite experiencing violent thunderstorms in June and July, in the words of Watson this summer has been “too hot, too dry and too sunny.” Nationwide, the country has seen 37 percent less rain than usual. In some regions, precipitation levels have fallen by more than 50 percent, while Canton Jura is getting 70 percent less rain than it should for the time of year.
This is having a massive impact on farmers and is increasing the risk of fires. Indeed, this week saw one of the largest forest fires in Switzerland in recent memory, with authorities still battling the blaze in Valais at the time of writing.
Finally, the lack of rain has been paired with large amounts of sunshine. As Swiss cities register their sunniest months ever, across the country the sun shone 40 percent more often than usual.