The Alps have a profound influence on our weather and hence climate. Since its foundation, MeteoSwiss as the National Weather Service works on problems of mountain meteorology in order to be able to reliably understand and predict climate and weather in the alpine region.
Satellite image MSG, 20.5. 2005
The Alps - a natural barrier
The alps act as a 'natural barrier', on which larger-scale weather systems, developing mainly over the Atlantic ocean, can be deflected, modified or even newly built. The forecasters of MeteoSwiss are trained to anylyse specific waether situations in view of their impact north or south of the alps and to predict possible developments. Similarly, for the analysis of the climate in the alps such characteristics must be understood and taken into account. Local phenomena such as Föhn are entirely triggered by the presence of the Alps and are correspondingly difficult to predict.
The alps act as a 'natural barrier', on which larger-scale weather systems, developing mainly over the Atlantic ocean, can be deflected, modified or even newly built. The forecasters of MeteoSwiss are trained to anylyse specific waether situations in view of their impact north or south of the alps and to predict possible developments. Similarly, for the analysis of the climate in the alps such characteristics must be understood and taken into account. Local phenomena such as Föhn are entirely triggered by the presence of the Alps and are correspondingly difficult to predict.
Flooding in the Magadino Valley, 16.10. 2000
The Alps - a sensitive area
In many ways the alps are a highly sensitive area. Possible impacts of climate change through the man-made increase of the greenhouse effect are not only variable on small spatial scales, they also affect eco-systems, in which fauna and flora sensitively react on any change. Also the society and mankind are affected, for example through a modification in the snowline (key word: permafrost), changing precipitation regimes (key word: skiing and tourism) among others. Climatologists of MeteoSwiss work on analysing the characteristics of the alpine climate in order to detect possible impacts of climate change as early as possible and work towards mitigation strategies using climate simulation. Similarly, meteorological threats are present in the alps: highly localised heavy precipitation (with possible consequences such as flooding or land slides), storms, avalanches or local fog, to name just a few.
Icing on a meteorological sensor installation on the Säntis (Image MeteoSwiss)
Special requirements for meteorological observations in the mountains
One of the main task of MeteoSwiss consists in making available a meteorological / climatological network. If it may be sufficient to have a station 'every hundred kilometers' in orther regions of the world, the large spatial variability in the Alps calls for a much higher station density. Also the representativity of a station and local influences must be known in order to be taken into account for climatological studies. Clearly, meterological observations in mountainous areas also suffer from a number of practical problems. The moveable parts of anemometers are subject to large forces and need to be extra robust. Icing on instruments and structures should possibly be prevented or at least detected. The interpretation of radar echos that is of great importance for avaition meteorology and forecast in general is challenged by the reflection of radar signals from obstacles - rather than from cloud droplets, as it is the intention.
| Research projects | Research projects | Research projects |
Research ProjectsStaff of MeteoSwiss always was and still is heavily engaged in research projects aiming at understanding meteorological conditions in the alps, flow modifications through the alpine barrier and making available current knowledge for climate analysis and weather forecast in the alpine region. This is especially true for the two large international research programmes, ALPEX (Alpine Experiment) and MAP (Mesoscale Alpine Progamme). In the framework of the Swiss national Climate Research Programme NCCR Climate, MeteoSwiss contributes - apart from other important themes - with a module "Climate in the Alpine Region". The Swiss contributon to the Global Atmosphere Watch Programm (GAW-CH) of WMO, was initiated and coordinated by MeteoSwiss and has not only made it possible that Jungfraujoch became one of the few "Global Stations" in mountainous areas; also the programme carries out radiation observations (ASRB) in the alps, the world's longest series of total ozone in Arosa, UV measurements, among others, and the data is carefully analysed.
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Research flight over the Alps(Photo NN) 
Drop sonde during MAP (Photo NN) |
| Pictures | of weather | in the Alps |
Send us your best pictures of mountain weather phenomena. We will add them to our gallery! Send your photographs to the Kontakt, key word "Research".
Altocumulus Lenticularis (Photo Käslin) 
Fog plume near La Brévine (Photo Daniel Walker) |
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Föhn clouds at Klausen pass (Photo Esther Scharnhorst) 
Livecam MeteoSchwiss near Murg |
