Heatwaves are significantly worse in large urban areas, and Swiss government wants the EU to relax travel rules during summer — these are among the news that The Local reported this week. You can catch up on on everything in this weekly roundup.
Heatwaves are significantly worse in large urban areas
According to the Federal Institute of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss), cities are more densely built up and have a larger percentage of impermeable surfaces like pavements, for instance, which retain and radiate heat.
Therefore, “the air temperature in urban areas is often higher compared to their more natural surroundings. This difference in temperature is known as the ‘urban heat island’ effect,” MeteoSwiss points out.
And the more densely populated a city is, the more pronounced this effect.
READ MORE: Where are the worsts parts of Switzerland to be in heatwaves?
Swiss government wants the EU to relax travel rules during summer
With longer passport control queues during summer holidays, the Swiss government would like to temporarily pause the EES checks at its airports, re-introducing, in the meantime, the previous system of manual passport-stamping.
The reason for this push are longer processing times during the peak travel season.
The government has therefore asked the European Commission to suspend the EES system for the time being, but no follow-up has been given.
READ MORE: Switzerland asks EU for green light to ease border controls at airports
Extreme weather can lower the value of your home
Driven by climate crisis, increasingly intense heat has consequences on the property market.
For instance, a top-floor apartment in the city, with large windows, a balcony, and a lake view could lose its appeal because it heats up significantly during extremely hot weather.
According to Matteo Molteni from Zurich Real Estate Consultancy company, “In the past, the main focus was how well a building could store heat in winter.Today it’s just as important how well it keeps the heat out in the summer.”
READ MORE: How heatwaves impact value of your Swiss property
Switzerland is no longer the priciest nation in Europe
Switzerland has held a dubious ‘honour’ of being Europe’s most expensive nation in a number of studies.
But it is no longer the case.
This title now belongs to Iceland, according to a new Eurostat price index, which is based on average prices of more than 2,000 products and services – including healthcare and education.
Switzerland fell to the second place, though on the positive side, its purchasing power is highest in Europe.
READ MORE: Switzerland dethroned as Europe’s most expensive country
Which outdoor areas you should avoid in hot weather?
Heatwaves are significantly worse in large urban areas.
That’s because cities are more densely built up and have a larger percentage of impermeable surfaces like pavements, for instance, which retain and radiate heat.
Therefore the air temperature in urban areas is often higher compared to their more natural surroundings. This difference in temperature is known as the ‘urban heat island’ effect..
And the more densely populated a city is, the more pronounced this effect.
Basel, Geneva, and Zurich are worst Swiss cities in terms of heat, with Basel top among them.
READ MORE: Where are the worst parts of Switzerland to be in heatwaves?
Will Switzerland have enough water depot the drought?
Extremely hot weather and lack of rain means that most Swiss regions are suffering from drought right now, with no relief in sight in the near future. Will this situation affect your own water supply?
As of now there is no danger of potable water shortages.
And in case this happens, federal law mandates the government to distribute at least four litres of drinkable water per person per day to all Swiss households.
READ MORE: Will your water supply be affected if Switzerland’s drought persists?
