All regions in Switzerland are considerably warmer than they used to be. Since measurements began in Switzerland in 1864, the near-surface air temperature has risen significantly more than the global average. Heavy precipitation events have also become more intense and more frequent and other climate indicators show strong trends.
In Switzerland, there has been reliable long-term measurement of the climate since 1864. The data show clear and unequivocal evidence of man-made climate change. For instance, the current near-surface air temperature in Switzerland has already increased by about 2.8 °C above the preindustrial average (1871-1900). This warming is considerably greater than the global average (Stand 2024: 1.3 °C). Since the 1980s, our climate has been experiencing its fastest recorded warming.
As a result of these temperature increases, we now have more frequent and warmer periods of hot weather than before. Moreover, the volume of the Alpine glaciers has shrunk by about 65 percent since the middle of the 19th century. Since 1970, the number of annual days of snowfall at 2,000 metres above sea level has diminished by 20 percent, and below 800 metres above sea level, it only snows half as often as it did then. The vegetation period is two to four weeks longer than in the 1960s.
Increases in heavy precipitation events can also be seen from the data series to date, and such events have become more intense and more frequent than they were at the beginning of the 20th century. Amounts of precipitation have also risen in wintertime.
The records do not give any clear indications of longterm trends in terms of the total precipitation in summer, low stratus, foehn winds or wind speeds. This may be attributable to the fact that these parameters are barely or not at all affected by climate change. It could also be the case that the influence of climate change has not yet become apparent for these parameters. The basis of observations is currently insufficient to determine clear changes in small-scale phenomena such as thunderstorms, tornadoes and hail.
Is climate change caused by humans? Find out the causes of climate change here.
How will the climate develop in the future? Read all about the Climate Change Scenarios for Switzerland here.
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MeteoSwiss provides detailed information on today’s climate and on climate change in Switzerland.
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Last modification 13.07.2024
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