While the sun will have reigned for a good part of the day on Friday, a drastic change of scenery is looming for this weekend, where violent storms are expected at the end of the day on Saturday. “The evening is going to be explosive in all regions,” warns Dean Gil of Meteosuisse, who has issued a level 4 out of 4 thunderstorm warning.
Enough to give the authorities cold sweats after the devastating floods that occurred in Morges (VD) and Valais in recent days. “What is being forecast is somewhat different,” the forecaster emphasizes. “On Saturday, there is more talk of very violent storms locally.”
Clearly, lightning strikes, hail and stormy gusts which could turn into tornadoes will particularly threaten the Lake Geneva region, the Valais Alps and the Jura. Locally intense precipitation may cause landslides. Falling trees must be taken into account
And if the alert is given from 2 p.m. on Saturday and 3 a.m. on Sunday, it will be at its maximum between 6 p.m. and 9 p.m., exactly when Switzerland will fight for a place in the quarter-final against Italy. While most fans will be behind their screens at home, those who want to travel to show their love for their favorite team will need to equip themselves accordingly. When contacted, the organizers of the Lausanne and Geneva fan zones assured that transmissions were being maintained for the time being. Like the Geneva cantonal police who believe that “a possible decision to cancel should not be known before 2 p.m. Saturday”, the various authorities will take stock of the situation on Saturday morning.
Sunday is expected to be calmer but still wet. A brief return to dryness is expected on Monday.
As hailstones up to 6 centimetres in diameter may fall locally, MeteoSwiss strongly recommends protecting outdoor objects (e.g. flower pots, garden furniture) from wind and hail, and rolling up blinds. It is also a question of avoiding bodies of water and places exposed to lightning such as ridges, the proximity of trees, pylons and towers, as well as open areas. In open terrain, you should crouch with your feet close together so that the surface of your body in contact with the ground is minimal.
