At the weekend we were still sweating at 30 degrees, and now the first snow has arrived in the mountains – for example in Arosa. SRF Meteo has issued a weather warning for large parts of Switzerland until Saturday. SRF meteorologist Mauro Hermann comments on the current weather freaks.
Mauro Hermann
meteorologist
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Mauro Hermann studied at ETH Zurich and completed his doctorate in atmospheric and climate sciences. He was part of various expeditions on the Greenland ice sheet and in the central Arctic. He has been a meteorologist at SRF Meteo since January 2024.
How often does it snow in mid-September?
A cold snap so early in the autumn is rare. Especially in the high altitudes of Arosa, it has only happened about once every ten years in the recent past. With highs around freezing point, it will be significantly colder than normal there in the coming days – that would be 12 degrees. In addition, the cool air is also humid and therefore snow is falling.
White awakening this morning in Arosa (1820 meters above sea level)
What does the weather warning from SRF Meteo mean?
The greatest danger currently comes from slippery snow. When the first cold snap arrives in autumn, many people have not yet fitted their winter tires. Accordingly, you should not drive over a pass with them. Up until Saturday, snow-covered roads are to be expected in the Alps above 1100 to 1400 meters.
Weather warnings SRF Meteo
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Click here for the weather warnings from SRF Meteo.
How cold will it be?
From today until Sunday, most people in the north will be turning up their heating – at home it’s already on. If you leave the house in the morning, it’s best to wear gloves or a hat: it’s a cold 4 to 8 degrees in the central plateau. There could even be ground frost in some places overnight into Sunday. We can’t expect too much during the day tomorrow, Friday: 10 to 14 degrees.
Where does the snow fall?
Most of the snow will fall on the northern slopes of the Alps and in the eastern foothills of the Alps. There, especially tomorrow and on Saturday, there could be a white awakening at altitudes of up to 1100 metres. Above 2000 metres, there will be 20 to 50 cm of fresh snow by Saturday. Between 1500 and 2000 metres, there will be 10 to 25 centimetres. The problem for snow fans below 2000 metres is that it is dry again between the snow showers. With the ground still warm, the snow will quickly disappear again.
There is a lot of rain in the neighboring countries. What is the situation in Switzerland?
The expected rainfall in Austria, the Czech Republic and southern Poland is really enormous and very dangerous. In Vienna, for example, around a third of the rain of an entire year could fall over the weekend. We will certainly hear more about flooding around the Oder, Danube and Elbe. In Switzerland, however, we will only be grazed by this low pressure system and there will be no major rain.
Will it get warmer again next week?
It is gradually getting warmer, but the weather seems to be taking its time. In the north, temperatures will remain below 20 degrees at the beginning of next week, and we could exceed this mark again by the end of the week. The breeze is also doing its part to ensure that it remains rather uncomfortable for the time being.
