Europe suffocates, and Switzerland with it. The high heat alert emitted by Météosuisse last Friday, and supposed to end this evening, is finally extended until Sunday 8 p.m. for the low -altitude regions of French -speaking Switzerland and Valais. “A vast and powerful anticyclone extending from the Mediterranean to central and Western Europe continues to determine time in the Alpine region with a dry and very hot air mass,” said an article in the Federal Meteorology and Climatology Office.
The thermometer should oscillate between 32 ° C and 36 ° C in the coming days, or even 37 ° C in French -speaking Switzerland and in Valais. During the night, little respite: temperatures in these regions will be between 18 and 23 ° C from Thursday. The north of the Alps should be relieved by two degrees. However, count a few additional degrees in urban areas.
Explanation
The heat wave, main climate risk in Switzerland
The accentuation of hot weather is one of the main dangers pointed out by the report on climatic risks in Switzerland of the Federal Environment Office. This is even the main in terms of mortality: in 2023, 542 deaths were attributed to the heat wave.
Climatic data show that heat waves will become more and more frequent, long and intense by 2060. The heat waves are often accompanied by droughts, which have multiplied in recent years.
And the link with climate change? For the past ten years, allocation studies have been asking for its contribution to heat waves, torrential rain and other extreme episodes multiplying on the planet. This amounts to calculating the likelihood that such alea occurs in relation to its probability if the earth was not subject to warming.
“They give very robust results for heat wave and to a lesser extent for strong precipitation,” said Temps Reto Knutti, climatologist at the Zurich Federal Polytechnic School.
The current heat wave is classified degree of danger 3, characterized by an average daily temperature greater than or equal to 25 ° C for three consecutive days, as well as possible consequences for health, with a marked risk of circulatory disorders and physical discomfort.
A shallow depressive hollow, with slightly wet air, will move from France to central Europe, increasing the risk of thunderstorms, especially in the mountains. Météosuisse finally specifies that the 30 ° C threshold should still be exceeded at the start of next week, at the start of the school year.
To go further
Tips to stay cool and sleep better during the summer
Here are the advice of a sleep medical specialist to sleep better this summer:
- Close the blinds and ventilate early in the morning and late in the evening.
- Take a warm shower before sleeping, without drying completely. No icy shower: the body will increase its temperature to fight the cold.
- Wear very light cotton, and do not use the duvet.
- Spray her sheets and his body with a fogger left in the fridge.
- Place an ice bottle in front of the fan.
- Go to bed later than usual.
Bad habits to be eliminated:
- Physical activity in the evening.
- The heavy meal before sleeping: digestion requests metabolism and “warms the machine”.
- Alcohol: “When it degrades in the body, it creates secondary molecules which have an awakening effect.”
- Emotional or cognitive excitement before bedtime, as well as intellectual efforts.
- Stimulants in the evening: coffee, black tea, sugary drinks or taurine, as well as exposure to screens.
And find our guide to shaded, confidential and poetic corners to spend summer in the shade.
