Mildest February since measurements began in 1864 with 4.9 degrees above average
Published: Tuesday, Feb 27th 2024, 12:40
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The end of February was clearly the mildest February since measurements began in 1864, with a temperature surplus of 4.9 degrees across the whole of Switzerland. Temperatures were therefore higher than the average for March.
In the first half of February, the average temperature across Switzerland was already five degrees above average, according to the private weather service Meteonews on Tuesday. The surplus decreased slightly in the second half of the month. The deviation was greatest in the east of Switzerland in particular, with local temperatures exceeding six degrees. In the west and south, too, the temperature surplus was never below three degrees.
The surplus is likely to fall slightly by the end of the month despite temperatures remaining above average, the report continued. The previous record measurement for a February was 4.1 degrees above average in 1990.
February 2024 could also be the month with the largest positive temperature deviation in Switzerland since measurements began in 1864. The previous record was set in June 2003 with a deviation of just under 4.65 degrees.
Vegetation has also responded to the record high temperatures and is therefore much more advanced than usual at this time of year, according to Meteonews. Peach and apricot trees, for example, bloomed two to three weeks earlier than normal. However, there is a great risk that the blossoms could freeze due to the frost that often occurs in March.
According to the weather service, it was far too wet in the south due to two significant accumulation areas. It was also slightly too wet in the east and west, otherwise there was mostly too little precipitation. There was 13 percent less sunshine than usual in February. It was particularly cloudy in the Jura, the south and Graubünden.
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