Switzerland records hottest summer since measurement began

Switzerland recorded its hottest summer since the beginning of meteorological measurements during the summer of 2026. According to MétéoSuisse, the average temperature from June to August was 17.2 °C, exceeding the 2003 record by 0.4 degrees and surpassing the 1991-2020 reference period by 3.4 °C.

While peak temperatures did not reach the extreme highs seen in 2003, the duration of the heatwaves was significantly longer. MétéoSuisse forecaster Isabelle Fath noted that the 2026 heatwave was the worst experienced by the country due to its persistence. Heatwaves began as early as May and continued into early September.

Specific regional impacts included: - Basel-Binningen reached 39.7 °C on July 30, equaling the record for temperatures north of the Alps. - Scuol recorded 35.1 °C at an altitude of 1,304 meters on June 27. - Sion experienced 54 days with temperatures above 30 °C between June 1 and August 31. - Other cities like Neuchâtel, Geneva, and Delémont also reported high counts of heat days, with some stations recording nearly two additional weeks of tropical days compared to previous records.