January 2024 2.5 degrees warmer than before industrialization
Published: Tuesday, Jan 30th 2024, 15:50
Zurück zu Live Feed
At just under two degrees above the norm, this year's January was one of the mildest since measurements began. Record daily highs were even measured at several locations. And in north-eastern Switzerland, the amount of precipitation was well above average.
This is according to a statement from the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) on Tuesday. The national average January temperature was minus 0.5 degrees Celsius on Monday. This puts the month 1.8 degrees above the norm for the years 1991 to 2020.
In Sion in Valais, it was the second warmest January since measurements began in 1864 with 2.6 degrees above the norm, while in Bern it was the fifth warmest January since measurements began in 1864 with 2.5 degrees above the norm. Lugano also reported the fifth warmest January in the 160-year measurement series with 1.5 degrees above the norm.
January in Switzerland has become 2.5 degrees warmer since the pre-industrial reference period of 1871-1900.
Storm, snow and warmth
After storms and snow, a strong south-westerly current brought very mild air to Switzerland from 22 January, causing the snow line to rise to 2000 meters the following day. On the southern side of the Alps, daily highs reached just under 17 degrees. In the north, rainy conditions resulted in highs of between 9 and 11 degrees, and in Delsberg in the Jura it was almost 15 degrees on January 22.
On January 24 and 25, daily highs north of the Alps ranged widely between 13 and 16 degrees. Lucerne recorded just under 17 degrees. On the southern side of the Alps, highs rose to 20 to almost 22 degrees on January 25.
©Keystone/SDA
German 
English 
French 
Spanish 
Arabic