Basel's Carnival Cruise Basks in Record-Breaking Warmth This Year
Basel's Carnival this year will enjoy unusually warm and sunny weather. Afternoon temperatures are expected to reach around 16°C, making it one of the mildest celebrations in decades. The forecast stands in sharp contrast to the freezing conditions of past carnival cruises.
The carnival cruise of 1956 saw bitter cold, with highs barely reaching -6°C. Such icy temperatures were once more common, as shown by Basel-Binningen's record low of -24.1°C in January 1942. Over time, though, the festival has gradually warmed.
Warmer carnival cruises have typically fallen in March rather than February. The only February event hotter than this year's was in 2021, when temperatures climbed—but COVID-19 restrictions dampened the festivities. This year's forecast of up to 14°C suggests it will rank among the top 10 warmest since records began.
Climate trends in Basel appear to reflect broader warming patterns. While exact 50-year data for Fasnacht is unavailable, average late-February temperatures have likely risen. The shift from extreme cold to milder conditions highlights how the city's clima has changed over the past century.
This year's carnival cruise will likely be one of the warmest in 125 years of recorded history. With sunny skies and temperatures near 16°C, attendees can expect a far more comfortable celebration than in freezing decades past. The trend aligns with Basel's long-term clima shifts toward warmer winters.
