Onset of winter: Switzerland warns of up to 40 cm of snow

Onset of winter in the lowlands: After a partly sunny start to the day, snow falls down to lower altitudes on Thursday afternoon. The reason for the large amount of fresh snow is the Renate depression. Polar cold air has affected large parts of Central Europe. From the North Atlantic, Renate is moving from France to Switzerland on Thursday.

The federal government has declared danger level 3 for parts of Switzerland. Warnings of fresh snow are issued in Valais and western Switzerland as early as twelve o’clock. From 3 p.m. the warning also applies to the lowlands from Bern to Lake Constance.

The strongest phase is likely to occur between 6 p.m. and midnight. Between ten and 25 centimeters of new snow is expected, in some areas even up to 30 centimeters. At altitudes above around 800 meters up to 40 centimeters are possible.

The latest forecast from the federal government shows where and how much new snow is expected in the next 24 hours. There are likely to be up to 30 centimeters in Zurich, Winterthur and Basel.

Due to the onset of winter, there is a risk of snow and ice on the roads. In the west, snow will change to sleet or rain as the day progresses. There is a risk of freezing rain.

The snowfall will ease on Friday night, but there will still be precarious road conditions on Friday morning. Caution is advised.

It will remain dry at the weekend and there will be plenty of sunshine above the high fog line. Temperatures will rise to up to ten degrees in the lowlands on Saturday and Sunday.

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