Meteorologists warn of a significant temperature spike starting Wednesday, June 17th, with potential record-breaking heat forecast for the coming days.
Switzerland is bracing for a new heatwave as temperatures are set to climb significantly starting Wednesday, June 17th. According to MeteoSwiss, the national weather service, the country will experience a sharp rise in mercury levels, potentially challenging historical records by the end of the week.
While Wednesday will see a gradual warming trend, the true intensity of the heatwave is expected to manifest on Thursday. Forecasts indicate that temperatures will consistently remain between 31C and 35C throughout the country. By Sunday, June 21st, and Monday, June 22nd, peak heat is anticipated, with Basel potentially reaching 36C, Zurich 35C, and Bern 34C.
Experts suggest that the all-time June record of 36.9C, set in Basel-Binningen in 1947, could be under threat, with some models predicting highs of up to 38C. Alongside the heat, the weather will become increasingly unstable, with isolated showers and thunderstorms expected in the Alps from Thursday, and more widespread heavy precipitation forecast for northern regions on Friday.
MeteoSwiss defines a formal heatwave as a period where the mean daily temperature remains at or above 25C for at least three consecutive days at a Level 3 warning threshold.
