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After a very mild start to the new year, significantly colder air will reach us over the weekend. The snow line drops down to the lowlands and icy breezes arise.
From the weekend, Switzerland will be between a low over the Adriatic and a high pressure zone over northern Europe. In the deeper layers the wind first turns to the north, then we get into a downwind situation. With the Bise, increasingly cold polar air is reaching Switzerland.
Legend:
This year the three kings not only bring frankincense, gold and myrrh with them, but also bring snow.
Karl Mathis
Snow line descending
With the cold air, the snow line also drops. Until Friday it will be between 1000 and 1400 m. On Saturday it will sink quickly to low altitudes. From Sunday it will be so cold in Switzerland that it would theoretically snow below sea level.
Legend:
Snowflakes are possible even in the lowlands from Saturday. How much snow there will be is still unclear.
SRF Meteo
The snowfall is not particularly widespread. Where and how quickly the snowfall line will fall on Saturday is an additional uncertainty factor. How much fresh snow will accumulate over the weekend is therefore still unclear and will probably vary greatly from region to region. While in the western lowlands there is more than enough white fluff, it could get really wintry in the St. Gallen area, for example. For many ski areas, especially on the northern slopes of the Alps and in Graubünden, there should be a good portion of fresh snow at the weekend.
Legend:
Is the equipment ready? There will be enough places for sledding in the lowlands. In the picture is Muttenz, where there will be a lack of snow cover due to little precipitation.
Peter Wehrli
Icy bises
From Sunday onwards, bise will gradually appear in the Mittelland. Particularly at the beginning of next week it will blow strongly at times. In the frosty air, there will be some ice days in the Mittelland with afternoon temperatures well below zero degrees. Due to the strong wind, the winter temperatures even feel significantly colder. So wrap up warmly.
Legend:
With the breeze and temperatures below freezing, such ice sculptures could appear again in the new week.
Matthias Burkhard