# Extreme heat and drought in Switzerland

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/extreme-heat-and-drought-in-switzerland
> Updated: 2026-09-29T11:42:11.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Switzerland experienced record-breaking temperatures during the summer of 2026. MétéoSuisse reported that the average temperature from June to August was 17.2 °C, surpassing the 2003 record by 0.4 degrees. While peak temperatures did not exceed 2003 levels, forecaster Isabelle Fath noted that the heatwave was the worst experienced due to its persistence, with heatwaves lasting from May into early September.

By late September, the impact of this extreme heat and lack of precipitation became visible on the Matterhorn, where the summit appeared as bare rock. MétéoSwiss stated that the period from April to September was the warmest and driest in Switzerland in 160 years. This prolonged weather pattern has affected Alpine glaciers and caused the Rhine river to reach record lows. Experts have warned that melting ice and the lack of snow increase the risk of landslides and rockfalls, making mountain climbing more dangerous.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-29: Matterhorn summit appears snow-free amid extreme Alpine heat

The Matterhorn summit is appearing snow-free in late September due to Switzerland's warmest and driest period in 160 years, raising concerns over glacier melt and increased rockfall risks.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/matterhorn-summit-appears-snow-free-amid-glacier-concerns

### 2026-09-08: Switzerland records hottest summer since measurement began

Switzerland experienced its hottest summer on record in 2026, characterized by prolonged heatwaves that began in May and lasted into September, surpassing the duration of the previous 2003 record.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/switzerland-records-hottest-summer-since-measurement-began

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Cite as: Extreme heat and drought in Switzerland. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/extreme-heat-and-drought-in-switzerland