Swiss cities enjoy record sunny January, but what's next for winter?
Unlike the same period in 2019, when temperatures fell below 8° C in some regions of Switzerland, this January has been one of the mildest months on record.
Whether it is due to global warming or another climatic phenomenon, January of this year has been decidedly un-winterlike in Switzerland
In many locations, January has been unseasonably warm and had record sunshine, according to a report by Switzerland’s official weather service, Météosuisse.
In Geneva, for example, the sun shone for 111 hours — one day more than the previous record for January, which dates to 2008. Bern benefited from even more sunshine: 129 hours throughout the month.
The country also had very little precipitation in the first days of the year.
But on the night of January 27th to 28th, heavy rain swept across Switzerland. Winds of over 120 kilometres per hour have been recorded in some places, increasing to 150 kilometres per hour at altitude.
READ MORE: Switzerland tumbles down climate performance ratings
What kind of weather can we expect in February?
While long-term forecasts cannot be made, daytime temperatures for the next two weeks are likely to range from 2°C to 14°C in Zurich, from 4°C to 15 °C in Geneva, and 7°C to 19°C in Ticino
So it looks like mild winter is expected to continue in Switzerlands, at least for the near future.
Comments
See Also
Whether it is due to global warming or another climatic phenomenon, January of this year has been decidedly un-winterlike in Switzerland
In many locations, January has been unseasonably warm and had record sunshine, according to a report by Switzerland’s official weather service, Météosuisse.
In Geneva, for example, the sun shone for 111 hours — one day more than the previous record for January, which dates to 2008. Bern benefited from even more sunshine: 129 hours throughout the month.
The country also had very little precipitation in the first days of the year.
But on the night of January 27th to 28th, heavy rain swept across Switzerland. Winds of over 120 kilometres per hour have been recorded in some places, increasing to 150 kilometres per hour at altitude.
READ MORE: Switzerland tumbles down climate performance ratings
What kind of weather can we expect in February?
While long-term forecasts cannot be made, daytime temperatures for the next two weeks are likely to range from 2°C to 14°C in Zurich, from 4°C to 15 °C in Geneva, and 7°C to 19°C in Ticino
So it looks like mild winter is expected to continue in Switzerlands, at least for the near future.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.