Switzerland will be hit by an episode of extreme heat this week with the public warned to take precautions. Here’s what you should expect in your region
For several days, Switzerland has been sweltering under a heatwave, with temperatures in most region exceeding 30C.
On Saturday, for instance, the temperature even climbed to 36C in Biasca, Ticino, setting a new record for 2025.
On Monday June 30th, the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSchweiz) again issued a level 3 (out of 5) heat warning, which will remain in effect until July 2nd across all regions.
This is a detailed forecast:
South of the Alps (Ticino)
Maximum temperatures will reach 31C-32C.
During the hottest hours, relative humidity will be between 40 and 55 percent. Minimum temperatures in lowland areas will be between 20C and 23C, with higher values expected in urban and hilly areas.
Low altitudes of German-speaking Switzerland
Maximum temperatures will reach 33C, with locally higher peaks, particularly in the Basel region, where they will reach 35C.
During the hottest hours, relative humidity will also be between 30 and 45 percent in these regions. Minimum temperatures will be between 17C and 21C
French-speaking Switzerland
Maximum temperatures will be between 32C and 34C. Throughout the heatwave, minimum temperatures will be between 17C and 20C, and between 20C and 22C near lakes and in urban areas.
For Valais, the Lake Geneva basin, and other low-lying regions of French- and German-speaking Switzerland, the alert is valid until Thursday, July 3rd
“In urban areas, minimum temperatures will be a few degrees higher due to slower and less pronounced nighttime cooling than in surrounding regions,” MeteoSchweiz specified.
MeteoSchweiz
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This is what it means
Level 4 is not the highest alert level (5 is), but MeteoScweiz designates it as a ‘significant hazard’ which can lead to “severe risk of circulatory problems,” especially in vulnerable people.
“Both long as well as short and intense periods of heat impact human health,” the agency said.
This means that you should not take extreme heat lightly, but follow official advice on how to stay (relatively) cool and protect your health:
READ ALSO: Switzerland’s official advice on how to protect yourself in a heatwave
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How long will the current heatwave last?
A “powerful storm” is brewing over Switzerland, expected to from early afternoon — first affecting the Alps, before spreading to the lowland regions a few hours later
French-speaking Switzerland will be the first areas to be hit with heavy precipitation, wind, and possibly hail.
The rain will ‘travel’ toward German-speaking areas, reaching the St. Gallen region by in the evening.
Here can see the rain situation in Switzerland in the coming days.
And then…
The relief is forecast for between Thursday and Friday evening, with the arrival of a ‘cold’ front that should temporarily put an end to the heatwave.
This doesn’t mean however, the end to the summer weather.
Temperatures for next weekend will drop, but summer will be far from over: a more pleasant 26C is expected in most parts of the country for the beginning of July.
