Lack of snow in Switzerland – No snow in winter can mean more drought in summer – News


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In Switzerland there is very little snow, the federal government speaks of lows. That could have consequences for the summer.

Little rain and lots of sun, also this week: the weather conditions have been stable for the past few days. The sunshine dominated, especially in the mountains, and it was often cloudless. There is little snow in the Alps and Jura. In Sils Maria in the Upper Engadine it is 13 centimetres, in Upper Valais 34 and on the Simplon 22 centimetres.

The chain reaction of the lack of snow

These are negative records, says David Volken, hydrologist at the Federal Office for the Environment: “There are several measuring points where new lows are recorded for the season.” The current snow situation is more comparable to the period between the end of March and mid-April. Volken emphasizes: The snow cover should actually be twice as high.

There are several measuring points where new lows for the season are recorded.

This has consequences, because the current lack of snow in the mountains means little melt water for the lower altitudes from spring; experts speak of a snowmelt deficit.

Manuela Brunner has dealt with this in depth. She is an assistant professor at the ETH and at the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research (SLF). She says about the current situation. “For next summer, snow deficits or snow melt deficits could become a problem again.” In short: the snow that is now missing at high altitudes will later be missing in the water.

Legend:

Actually, it should have more snow in Switzerland.

Keystone/Christian Beutler

Manuela Brunner and her team analyzed river catchment areas, such as those for the Rhine, Rhone and Danube. She asked herself why there had been drought in the past 50 years. Their finding: the lack of snow has become more important as a trigger for drought.

Wet spring months to the rescue?

This is also illustrated by the hydrological data of the major rivers. David Volken from the Federal Office for the Environment explains: “All major rivers have their source in Switzerland, be it the Ticino, but also the Rhone, the Rhine and of course the Inn, which then flows into the Danube .» 40, sometimes 50 percent of the runoff from these rivers comes from snowmelt, Volken continues.

That is why the hydrologist also speaks of a poor starting position for spring and summer. Only a very wet March and April could make up for the snow deficit. That cannot be ruled out, but the signs are bad. Because the other water reservoirs, springs, bodies of water and groundwater already have low levels.

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