Martin Holdener crowned weather king with a wet winter forecast

Martin Holdener has been named the Muotathal weather king after predicting a wet winter and snow at lower elevations over Christmas. SRF reports that the six Muotathal weather prophets shared their outlooks for the coming months at their annual autumn meeting in Illgau, in the canton of Schwyz.

Holdener, known as “Muser”, was recognised as the most accurate forecaster of summer 2026. The farmer from Haggen said November would bring dry easterly winds before a shift to rainy westerlies. December would start wet, followed by foehn winds, with snow at lower elevations over Christmas. He forecast heavy precipitation and colder weather in January, a snowy February that would turn warmer and rainy around mid-month, and changeable weather in March. In April, he expects snow with northwesterly winds at first, followed by rising temperatures.

Silvan Betschart, known as “Herrenbödler”, expects November to turn increasingly wet after a dry start. He forecasts plenty of snow in December, followed by rain towards the end of the month. The new year will begin rainy before clearing and turning very cold. February will bring foehn, then heavy snow and sunshine. He expects thaw at the start of March, snow again at Easter and changeable weather in April.

Karl Laimbacher, known as “Tobel-Kari”, predicts fog and rain in November, followed by sunshine and cold weather. He expects December to be sunnier than rainy, with fine weather, foehn and Saharan dust at the end of the year. January will bring rain and snow. February, locally called the “Horner”, will be fine and cold during carnival before turning rainy. March and April should be mostly fine, with occasional rain in April.

Karl Hediger, known as “Naturmensch”, forecasts major temperature swings, rain, fog and sunshine in November, with snow towards the end. He expects heavy snow and cold weather in December, followed by clear, cold conditions with easterly winds in the new year. Rain and snow will arrive in the second half of January. February will be very cold during carnival, with easterly winds, then changeable and mostly dry. He expects warmer weather in March, with more snow at Easter.

Martin Gisler, known as “Tannebärt”, predicts a mild winter with plenty of precipitation and a green Christmas. He expects a warm, fine November with rain in the middle of the month, followed by a warm, wet December and a brief spell of winter weather. The new year will also start warm and rainy, before turning colder in the second half of January, with substantial fresh snow. February will bring rain and snow, followed by colder weather and snow at low elevations. He expects a warm, changeable March and fine weather at Easter, then a warm April with foehn and rain in the middle of the month.

Roman Ulrich, known as “Jöri”, forecasts fog in the lowlands and fine weather higher up in November, with little rain and snow towards the end of the month. December will be mostly fine, with snow falling below 800 metres around mid-month. He expects snow down to lower elevations at the start of January, followed by fine weather. February will be cold with little snow, then warm and rainy towards the end of the month. March will begin with springlike weather before winter returns. April will be changeable, and spring will be slow to arrive.

The Muotathal weather prophets are six nature observers from the canton of Schwyz. They use their own methods to interpret signs such as animal behaviour and the growth of trees and mushrooms. They meet twice a year to name the most accurate forecaster of the previous months and present their predictions for the next half-year.