Heatwave gives way to storms and cooler temperatures in Switzerland

Switzerland’s heatwave will continue for now, with temperatures reaching up to 36 degrees on the northern side of the Alps on Friday, but the weather will change significantly on Sunday, SRF reports.

A disturbance from the north will bring cooler, more humid air to Switzerland and increase the risk of thunderstorms. Rain is possible in both the mountains and lowlands, but it is expected to come as local showers and heavy thunderstorms rather than widespread rainfall.

Some areas could receive substantial amounts of rain, although it is difficult to predict exactly where and how much. The mountains could see local showers each day from Saturday to Wednesday. In the lowlands, the chances of rain will be highest on Sunday and Monday. After that, weather models currently indicate more frequent dry periods, with most places remaining dry.

The rain will not be enough to ease the ongoing drought. Isolated heavy downpours over a few rainy days cannot restore depleted soils and groundwater after the dry summer months. Much of the water is likely to run off the surface instead of being absorbed because it will fall too quickly on very dry ground.

Several weeks of widespread, gentle rain would be needed to address the drought by allowing water to seep slowly into the ground and be stored underground.

The cooler weather is expected to last longer, according to SRF Meteo meteorologist Anja Brun. From Sunday through the end of next week, maximum temperatures are forecast to range between 23 and 26 degrees, returning to the usual August range.