The mountain regions are facing the turn of the year for the record books. Warmth records can be expected in the entire Alpine region – for example in Davos GR or Zermatt VS (see graphic). “It’s going to be abnormally mild!” Says Roger Perret (54) from Meteo News to Blick. “The snow line in Valais and western Switzerland will rise to 4,000 meters on New Years. These are really midsummer values. “
While the high in the lowlands, which is approaching from the Mediterranean region, already brings the warmest temperatures of up to 15 degrees, it should not peak at higher altitudes until New Year’s Eve. “There will be t-shirt weather on sunny slopes. In general, 12 or even 13 degrees have to be expected, ”says Perret.
Bund warns of constant rain: Switzerland expects these weather capers at the end of the year(01:17)
In Wildhaus there is a threat of piste closures
Ski areas in the foothills of the Alps are faced with a twofold problem: After the snow has practically been washed off the slopes for days, it is far too mild on New Years to make artificial snow on them. There is a hangover mood.
“We are almost helpless in the face of the weather,” says Urs Gantenbein (54), managing director in the Wildhaus SG ski area. “Our natural snow slopes could be so badly affected by the rain that we have to close some of them,” he adds. “The point now is to somehow stay in the race and limit the damage as much as possible,” said Gantenbein.
Flumserberg hopes for luck with the weather
Background: In spring-like conditions, slopes are still much better preserved than in rainy weather. There are also large regional differences. In Flumserberg SG, which is only a few kilometers away, they seem to be much better off in the weather lottery.
«Contrary to expectations, yesterday we even recorded snowfall again instead of rain. Now we have to keep our fingers crossed that as much as possible remains, ”says CEO Mario Bislin (64). Because on New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Eve, 9,000 guests per day are expected. “The tension is like that of farmers who have to bring in their crops under difficult conditions,” explains Bislin.
Elm lives on solid snow foundations
The mood in Elm GL is a little more relaxed – despite the similar altitude. “Compared to other ski areas, we have a little more snow. The good foundation we had before Christmas is now helping us to get through this challenging time, ”says Sportbahnen boss Stefan Elmer (48).
But even he could not rule out isolated runway closures. “This would then be done for safety reasons because of the risk of avalanches, so that the soaked snow can sit a little better in the sun,” says Elmer.
After all: The “hot weather” is probably just a curious interlude in winter. As early as the middle of next week, it will be significantly colder again, and the snow line will drop significantly. Meteorologist Perret is nonetheless flabbergasted: “30 years ago, such values as we now expect would have been considered absolutely impossible!”