Obwalden

Since the year 1864, the temperature in the Canton of Obwalden has increased by 1.9 °C, based on the cantonal fact sheet from 2021. If global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise in the future, the warming will continue and will amount to further 2.7 °C by 2060 with respect to the mean of the period 1981-2010. Only an effective lowering of emissions can limit the future temperature change. However, adaptation to the impacts of climate change in the Canton of Obwalden would be required even in this case.

Climate change in the Canton of Obwalden
Adaption on climate change
Projects

Climate change in the Canton of Obwalden

The CH2018 Climate Scenarios provide a Swiss-wide picture on how climate variables such as temperature and precipitation will change throughout the 21^st century. They are now complemented by the corresponding information for each individual Swiss canton. Human-made climate change will lead to a further increase of both winter and summer temperature in the Canton of Obwalden. Mean precipitation amounts will tend to decrease in summer and to increase in winter. The magnitude of these changes will depend on the future greenhouse gas emissions. Two different emission scenarios are considered here: Stringent future emission cuts (RCP2.6) and a continued increase of emissions (RCP8.5).

Besides understanding future changes in mean temperature and mean precipitation amounts, developing robust and sustainable mitigation and adaptation strategies also requires information on changes in the frequency and intensity of extremes and changes of sector-specific climate indicators. As an example, increases in the number of hot days, drier summers, more intense precipitation events and more frequent snow-scarce winters are projected for the future. The figure below presents an overview on future changes in extreme events projected for the Canton of Obwalden by the year 2060 in case of continuously rising greenhouse emissions (scenario RCP8.5).

Overview of the expected changes in extreme values for the measuring station Engelberg for the period around 2060 compared to the normal period 1981-2010 (assumption: emission scenario RCP8.5). The expected increase in mean temperature for Switzerland compared to the normal period 1981-2010 at this time is 2.6 °C.
© MeteoSwiss

Download and data

More details on the climate in the Canton of Obwalden, on specific climate indicators and on projected changes of the mean climate and of extreme events are available in the cantonal fact sheet and in the CH2018 web atlas.

Fact sheet: climate change in the Canton of Obwalden (in German) (PDF, 8 MB, 16.11.2021)

CH2018 web atlas

Based on your selection criteria, you are provided with a wide range of graphics and the associated data. Various climate parameters are available for measuring stations, regions, cantons or the whole of Switzerland.

Facts and figures

Get an Swiss-wide overview of the possible changes in temperature, precipitation and various climate indicators with and without climate change mitigation.

Key messages

The CH2018 Climate Change Scenarios show where and how climate change affects Switzerland and what global climate change mitigation efforts can do about it. The expected consequences of unchecked climate change for Switzerland include more hot days, dry summers, heavy precipitation and winters with little snow. However, global efforts to mitigate climate change could curb future climate change.