Switzerland braces for escalating heatwave and persistent drought

Federal Swiss agencies warn that the current drought will not ease and a new heatwave is expected from mid‑week, with temperatures forecast to reach 37‑38 °C in the western and central regions. Meteorological models indicate a high‑pressure ridge will dominate the weather, bringing intense sunshine and only scattered thunderstorms that are unlikely to provide significant rainfall.

The prolonged dry spell has already lowered water levels in major lakes and rivers, including Lake Zurich, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne and the Lago Maggiore, with some lake levels dropping more than a meter since June. The most acute deficits are reported from the Jura, Basel area and the Swiss Mittelland, where precipitation over the past 30 days has been up to 70 % below normal. Continued heat and low humidity raise concerns for agriculture, water supply and public health across the country.