Which part of Switzerland experiences the most lightning?
By Jan de Boer
When you are cosy inside and hear a storm coming, there is nothing better than peering outside to see the lightning roll in. Now, a new study from Blids and Siemens has revealed which parts of Switzerland saw the most lightning strikes in 2024.
Fewer lightning strikes reported in Switzerland in 2024
According to the data, a total of 29.101 ground lightning strikes were reported in Switzerland in 2024, a 12 percent decrease compared to 2023. Last year, the month with the most lightning strikes was June, while the weather was most turbulent on July 31, when 3.200 strikes were reported in 24 hours.
Using recordings from 170 measuring stations in Switzerland and across Europe, the report found that central Switzerland, the region around Basel, eastern Canton Zurich and Ticino are the biggest hotspots for lightning. For those who don’t like a night of counting the seconds till the thunder hits, the least lightning-prone areas are Valais, the high mountains and towns of eastern Graubünden and the region around Lake Neuchâtel.
Appenzell and Bern are Switzerland's lightning hotspots
In 2024, the district of Gonten in Appenzell Innerhoden was Switzerland’s lightning capital. The region, which includes the town of Gonten and the hamlets of Gontenbad and Jakobsbad, registered 2,75 strikes per square kilometre last year.
Liestal (Basel-Land), Lugano (Ticino) and Münchwilen (Thurgau) also saw a lot of stormy weather. However, in absolute terms, Canton Bern experienced the most lightning strikes at 5.000 incidents, while Surselva, Canton Graubünden saw the most strikes for a town, reporting nearly 1.000.
By contrast, the fewest lightning strikes were recorded in the Valais district of Conthey at just 0,16 per square kilometre. Lightning was also seen sparingly in the communities of Boudry (Neuchâtel) and Entremont (Valais).
Never miss a thing!Sign up for our weekly newsletters with important news stories, expat events and special offers.
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