Much of Switzerland is beginning the week shrouded in fog, with limited visibility reported across central areas. While temperatures are expected to rise mid-week, reaching up to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, the outlook for a traditional white Christmas remains uncertain. Current forecasts from Meteo Switzerland indicate a 25% chance of snow at lower elevations, with better prospects for accumulation in the Alpine regions.
- Monday and Tuesday will be foggy and cloudy. Temperatures in the central region will reach a high of 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The middle of the week will be sunnier, with temperatures rising to as high as 52 degrees Fahrenheit.
- The weekend will be changeable, with rain possible in the west.
- A white Christmas at lower elevations is unlikely, with chances at 25 percent.
Much of the region is starting the week under a blanket of fog, with visibility limited to around 2,300 feet. The fog is expected to dissipate only partially during the day, and temperatures in the central areas will top out at 48 degrees Fahrenheit.
Tuesday’s forecast offers little improvement, with mostly cloudy skies and a chance of light rain. Conditions in the north are expected to be more mixed, with a combination of fog, sunshine, and clouds.
Mid-Week Outlook
Looking ahead, Meteo Switzerland predicts sunny conditions for the Bern-Basel region in the middle of the week. Eastern Switzerland may see periods of high, dense clouds. Temperatures will range from 45 to 52 degrees Fahrenheit, with the warmest temperatures expected in the Chur Rhine Valley. Thursday will begin foggy, but conditions should improve by the afternoon.
Weekend Forecast
The weekend forecast remains somewhat uncertain. Eastern areas are likely to see sunshine on Friday, while western Switzerland could experience scattered showers. Highs will reach 52 degrees Fahrenheit. Saturday and Sunday are expected to be variably cloudy, with a chance of rain in the western part of the country.
Chances for a White Christmas
An extended high-pressure system over Northern Europe is expected to dominate the weather pattern between December 22nd and 28th, according to Meteo Switzerland. This will likely bring easterly winds to the Alpine region. Mountain areas are expected to see sunny skies, while lower elevations may experience frequent fog or low clouds, with high temperatures between 33 and 48 degrees Fahrenheit. The possibility of a white Christmas remains, though slim.
SRF Meteo notes that “a glimmer of hope remains” for a white Christmas. Current models suggest that air with below-average temperatures could move into the region towards the weekend. “The predictions from mid-range models are at least more favorable for snow than the latest long-range models,” SRF Meteo writes. “Therefore, we have increased the probability of a white Christmas to 25 percent.”
Justin Arber, born in 1999, has been a news desk editor since 2022. He occasionally takes on shift leadership duties during early and late hours.
