The recent magnificent weather will be followed by blood-coloured rain

March in Switzerland this year has been marked by some magnificent weather. But April is now on the way and will bring us sand from the Sahara again, followed by colder temperatures and precipitation.

Switzerland has enjoyed T-shirt weather over the last few days, and even over the last few weeks, with the thermometer almost reaching the 20 °C mark. It was very dry and sunny in March. MeteoNews even wrote that "the records for absolute dryness and sunshine in March will certainly be broken in some places."

The start of the week has moved seamlessly into the weekend, and once again provided magnificent weather. But that will all be over in the next few days. According to MeteoNews, the high pressure zone Peter is weakening. "A small low over France will once again steer extensive clouds to Switzerland on Tuesday," it continues. In addition, the concentration of Sahara dust is increasing again.

Sahara sand over Lake Zug                                           Roland Widmer
Sand over the golf course near Küssnacht                 Photo. Priska Diener

Blood-coloured rain and then snow
The Saharan dust in the air, together with the precipitation that is forecast from Wednesday, could cause the so-called ‘blood rain’. But, looking on the positive side, the rain will also put an end to the drought.

It will be cold and frosty towards the weekend, with the thermometer only rising above 10 °C in Ticino on Friday and Saturday, according to the forecast. It will hardly rise above 5 °C in most regions of Switzerland. Snow will therefore make a comeback, at least in the higher altitudes – while sleet will probably dominate in the lowlands.