Switzerland's wild weather swing: From spring warmth to wintry showers in days

Switzerland experienced unusually warm temperatures this week before a sudden weather shift. On Tuesday, thermometers climbed to near 19°C in some areas. But by Wednesday evening, heavy rain swept across the country, marking the start of a colder spell.

Before the change, Switzerland basked in spring-like warmth on March 10. Vaduz recorded the highest temperature at 18.8°C, while Zürich reached 16.8°C. Other regions also saw mild conditions, with Sion at 15.8°C, Payerne at 13.8°C, and Genf at 13.5°C.

The shift arrived abruptly on Wednesday evening. Heavy rain began in French-speaking Switzerland before spreading nationwide. By Thursday morning, most of the country was drenched, and snow levels had dropped to around 1,200 meters. Thursday itself brought some relief with fairer weather. Patches of sunshine appeared, and temperatures hovered in the low double digits. But the break was short-lived. Over the weekend, a cold front from the west will take hold. Unsettled conditions are forecast, with rain, snow, and sleet showers expected. The cold snap will deepen by Saturday, pushing the snow line down to 800 meters. Next week's outlook remains mixed. Temperatures will fluctuate between 10°C and 17°C, with both rain and sunshine likely.

The weather will stay changeable in the coming days. After a brief sunny spell on Thursday, the weekend will bring wintry showers and lower snow levels. Next week's temperatures will vary, but unsettled conditions are set to continue.