Parts of Switzerland have been placed under the highest weather warning with torrential rain set to hit the country ahead of the Easter weekend.
Easter is usually associated with warm and sunny weather in the popular destinations like Ticino.
But not this year.
The Federal Office for Meteorology (MeteoSchweiz) has issued the highest, level-5 weather warning, for both Ticino and parts of Southern Valais.
The south-easterly “barrage precipitation” — that is, increased rain that occurs when moist air is forced to rise over a mountain range — “will intensify against the main Alpine ridge and reach a maximum intensity between Wednesday 6 am and Thursday 12 pm,” MeteoSchweiz said.
In Ticino, between 100 and 150 millimetres of rain is forecast to fall across the cantons, though this precipitation will be even heavier in certain regions.
For instance, in the Centovalli, Locarnese, Maggia and Verzasca valleys, as well as in Bedretto, as much as 150 to 250 millimetres are expected.
MeteoSchweiz has also issued the warning level 5 for the Upper Saas Valley and the Simplon region, warning, of “extreme rises in the water levels of rivers and lakes,” and the possibility of flooding.
Red and orange mark where the precipitation will be at its worst. Image: MeteoSchweiz
And in Southern Valais, the snow line will drop to 1,000 metres, significantly increasing the risk of avalanches.
The warning is in place until Good Friday, April 17th.
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What is the forecast for the Easter weekend?
Improvement is expected, according to MeteoSchweiz.
On both Saturday and Sunday, much of the country will be partly sunny, with daytime temperatures between 17C and 20C.
Paradoxically, the worst weather on both days is forecast for Ticino — where many Swiss are traditionally spending their Easter break precisely because of good weather — it will be rainy with temps ranging from 11C and 15C.
