25 centimeters and more in the lowlands: These regions are now drowning in record snow

30 centimeters in the lowlands, 40 centimeters at higher altitudes: Meteorologists are expecting record amounts of snow for this time of year on Thursday and Friday – but not everywhere.

A snow front is rolling towards Switzerland. It starts on Thursday afternoon and by Friday morning it will snow in many places. The federal government has declared warning level 3 in many places and warns of “significant danger” from large amounts of fresh snow.

The lowlands in particular are likely to receive a comparatively large amount of snow. In the north and eastern Switzerland, continuous snowfall can be expected for many hours, says Roger Perret from Meteonews to blue News. “The weather situation is very special and is known for extreme amounts of snow.”

Specifically, Perret expects 25 to 30 centimeters of new snow in places in the lowlands within a few hours, and above 800 meters up to 40 centimeters is possible. “Based on the current models, we are assuming snow records in November. In many places in the lowlands there has probably never been as much snow in November as there is today and tomorrow.”

Streets are difficult to pass

According to Perret, anyone who wakes up on Friday morning can expect a wintery landscape. However, caution is also required. “The snowfall stops in the second half of the night, but it is very cold in the morning. This could lead to slippery conditions on the roads.”

The federal government is also warning of possible restrictions on road, rail and air traffic due to the enormous snowfall. Roads could become difficult to pass, and branches could break off in the forests.

According to the federal government, German-speaking Switzerland, eastern Switzerland, Zurich, parts of central Switzerland and the Mittelland are particularly affected. A lot of snow is also expected in the Basel region, parts of Valais and parts of the Bern region.

Snow remains

However, the event is less severe in French-speaking Switzerland. “The border runs through the canton of Bern,” explains Perret. “In western Switzerland the temperatures will rise again a little in the evening, here there will probably be rain as well as snow. That’s why the expected amounts of snow here are less.”

According to weather expert Perret, anyone who wants to enjoy the snow at the weekend will get their money’s worth. “It will stay cold on Friday and Saturday, the snow is likely to stay,” he tells blue News. Only on Sunday and at the beginning of next week will the thermometer rise again into the positive range – and the snow will slowly melt away again.