Swiss government issued a ‘level 3′ alert for heavy snowfall and strong winds in some areas on October 27th. What exactly do Switzerland’s weather warnings mean and why should you pay attention to them?
Natural hazard categories, numbered 1 to 5, are determined by the specialist government bodies.
In Switzerland, they are the responsibility of the Federal Office of Meteorology (MeteoSchweiz), which explains that these numbers are based on “prevailing circumstances in terms of their potential dangers.”
With winter months around the corner, here’s what each season-related alert level means for various categories of disasters (each alert starts at level 2):
Snow
Level 2: Moderate hazard
There is a danger of icy conditions due to snow-covered roads.
Level 3: Significant hazard
Road, rail and air travel may be disrupted.
According to the agency, “branches may break under the weight of snow and the usability of roads may deteriorate significantly.”
Level 4: Severe hazard
Disruptions to air and rail travel are likely.
Road traffic delays and an increased risk of accidents are to be expected due to icy conditions, snow drifts and poor visibility.
Branches may break under the weight of snow and some trees may be toppled.
Power supply and/or the telephone communications network may suffer outages.
Level 5: Very severe hazard
This is the highest danger level, with major impacts on the population.
Among them, road, rail and air travel may come to a complete standstill; there is a high risk of road accidents due to icy conditions, snow drifts and poor visibility; branches may break under the weight of snow and entire trees may be toppled; and the power supply as well as telephone communications network may break down completely.
Advertisement
Slippery roads
Level 2: Moderate
Risk of skidding and falling.
Hazard Level 3: Significant hazard
Icy roads are difficult to use, and road and air travel is likely to be disrupted.
Hazard Level 4: Severe hazard
In addition to the risks listed under levels 2 and 3, this danger category also entails road, rail and air travel being brought to a standstill, as well as interruption of electricity supply and/or telephone network.
Hazard level 5: Very severe hazard
MeteoSchweiz doesn’t have a specific definition of hazard level 5 when it comes to slippery roads, due to the fact that “widespread ice formation on roads over a sustained period is a rare occurrence in Switzerland,” it says.
Advertisement
Wind
Level 2: Moderate hazard
Objects that are unsecured or inadequately secured may fall over and smaller tree branches may break off.
Level 3 and 4: Significant and severe hazard
In addition to level 3 hazards, lightly secured, large objects such as tents and scaffolding may be blown over; road, rail, and air travel may be disrupted; and there is an increased risk of road accidents due to strong crosswinds.
Level 5: Very severe hazard
On top of levels 2, 3, and 4, expect these very serious effects:
- Trees, entire groups of trees or sections of forest as well as electricity pylons/poles may be blown over
- Buildings could be seriously damaged
- Road, rail, water and air travel may be disrupted or come to a complete standstill
- Large, empty vehicles may tip over
- Large, firmly secured objects such as tents or scaffolding as well as freestanding objects such as garden furniture may also be toppled or blown away by the wind
- High waves may break over the banks of lakes
- The power supply and telephone communications network may suffer outages over large areas and for long periods of time
Advertisement
And let’s not forget another frequent danger in the Swiss Alps: avalanches.
MeteoSchweiz doesn’t classify them according to hazard levels, but it has an extensive warning system against practising winter sports in avalanche prone areas.
You can find more about these dangers here.
