Gale-force winds are expected in the Alps today and tomorrow; the criteria for blood donation in Switzerland is eased; and more news in our roundup this Monday.
Strong foehn and gale-force winds expected in the Alps today and tomorrow
From Monday to Tuesday evening, strong foehn winds are forecas in the exposed valleys on the northern slopes of the Alps, Switzerland’s official meteorological service, MeteoSchweiz, reports.
It has therefore issued warnings of levels 3 and 2, depending on the region.
In the foehn-affected valleys of the northern Alps, gusts of wind between 90 and 120 km/h are expected. Locally, in the areas most exposed to the foehn wind, gusts of up to 140 km/h are possible.
The most intense phase is expected between Monday midnight and noon on Tuesday.
The foehn will then spread further north into the lower St. Gallen Rhine Valley, as far as Lake Zurich (Obersee), and the Lake Sihl region in Schwyz.
Gusts of wind between 60 and 90 km/h are expected there. In Valais, the foehn will generally be somewhat less pronounced, with maximum gusts between 70 and 90 km/h.
The criteria for blood donation in Switzerland is eased
From February 1st, individuals who were previously excluded from giving blood in Switzerland, can do so.
It includes people who have received a transfusion, stayed in the UK for a long time, or undergone certain medical procedures.
A four-month waiting period applies after each transfusion, regardless of the country where it took place.
People who resided in the United Kingdom for extended periods in the 1980s and 1990s will be able to donate blood again – previously they could not do so, as their country was hit by the ‘mad cow disease’ which could infect humans who consumed beef from the impacted bovines.
Certain restrictions still apply, however: for instance, for people who underwent neurosurgery, a one-year waiting period applies, provided the procedure was performed in Switzerland.
Also, people who received a dental implant in Switzerland after 1993 made from tissues or cells of human or animal origin or their derivatives, can donate blood again. Depending on the complexity of the procedure, a waiting period of at least two weeks applies.
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New rents slightly down in the fourth quarter of 2025
Specifically, rents for new leases in newly built apartments fell by 0.7 percent between October and December 2025.
For older apartments, the decrease was even greater, at 1.3 percent, according to data published on Friday by the consulting firm Fahrländer Partner Raumentwicklung.
The strongest rent increases for new builds were recorded in the Zurich region (+4.6 percent), the Lake Geneva region (+2.2 percent), and southern Switzerland (+2.1 percent).
The outlook for tenants looking for an apartment this year is not good. Market observers expect rents to continue to rise, primarily due to the persistently low supply, the report explains.
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