Switzerland braces for sudden winter blast after spring warmth
Switzerland will see a dramatic shift in weather this week. After mild spring-like conditions through Tuesday, a cold front will sweep in on Wednesday, bringing heavy snow and plunging temperatures. Some areas could face up to 70 centimetres of snow by Friday.
Tuesday will remain warm, with highs of 16°C under sunny skies. Southern Switzerland, in particular, will stay dry and mild, with temperatures hovering around 13°C.
The change arrives early Wednesday. A cold front will push through, starting with sunshine but quickly turning windy and wet. By the afternoon, snow will begin falling heavily on the northern slopes of the Alps. By Wednesday evening, flurries will reach elevations as low as 500 metres. The snow line will drop further on Thursday, with even low-lying cities like Basel possibly seeing snowfall. Accumulations of 40 to 70 centimetres are expected in alpine regions by Friday. A sharp drop in temperatures will follow the cold front. If skies clear overnight, severe frost could develop, posing risks to flowering plants despite light snow causing little harm.
The sudden shift from spring warmth to winter conditions will bring heavy snow to higher elevations and possible flurries in lower areas. Residents should prepare for rapidly changing weather, with significant snowfall and freezing temperatures expected by the end of the week.
