https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed The record-breaking temperatures and prolonged drought that struck Switzerland this summer are impacting the prices of certain consumer goods this autumn. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260904/what-costs-more-in-switzerland-this-autumn-after-summer-drought Fri, 04 Sep 2026 14:45:34 +0200 what-costs-more-in-switzerland-this-autumn-after-summer-drought It may come as no surprise to anyone who sweated buckets through June, July, and August that this year's summer has broken Switzerland's heat records. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260903/switzerland-confirms-summer-2026-was-hottest-ever-but-will-become-the-norm Thu, 03 Sep 2026 13:37:04 +0200 switzerland-confirms-summer-2026-was-hottest-ever-but-will-become-the-norm With the rain and cooler temperatures in Switzerland right now, we may soon forget just how hot the summer of 2026 has been. But meteorologists say we should expect even more intense heatwaves and droughts. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260821/44-1c-just-how-hot-and-dry-will-swiss-summers-become-in-future Fri, 21 Aug 2026 14:20:02 +0200 44-1c-just-how-hot-and-dry-will-swiss-summers-become-in-future Switzerland’s Weisshorn glacier, located at an altitude of 4,505 metres near Zermatt in Valais, is breaking off piece by piece, which could fall down into the town below. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260826/swiss-glacier-near-zermatt-under-threat-of-imminent-collapse Wed, 26 Aug 2026 11:49:31 +0200 swiss-glacier-near-zermatt-under-threat-of-imminent-collapse All the Swiss regions have suffered from a severe dry spell since June, and the consequences are significant and far-reaching, the government reports. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260824/from-food-to-power-how-the-summers-devastating-drought-hit-switzerland Mon, 24 Aug 2026 13:52:50 +0200 from-food-to-power-how-the-summers-devastating-drought-hit-switzerland Lake Zurich's water level sank to its lowest level in 75 years on August 19th, official measurements showed, as a drawn-out drought also took a toll on a range of other major Swiss lakes. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260820/lake-zurich-sees-water-level-hit-record-low-amid-drought Thu, 20 Aug 2026 08:57:31 +0200 lake-zurich-sees-water-level-hit-record-low-amid-drought To date, we have had a long hot and dry summer, resulting in a long stretch of intense drought. Is rain finally forecast to come to your Swiss region? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260818/drought-when-can-you-next-expect-rain-in-your-part-of-switzerland Tue, 18 Aug 2026 15:10:24 +0200 drought-when-can-you-next-expect-rain-in-your-part-of-switzerland Switzerland is rich in water but due to continued drought and misuse of available resources, it could become more expensive. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260818/what-impact-will-the-drought-have-on-price-of-water-in-switzerland Tue, 18 Aug 2026 13:29:27 +0200 what-impact-will-the-drought-have-on-price-of-water-in-switzerland Due to the persistent hot weather, the water in many of Switzerland’s lakes is not refreshing – in fact, it is on the upper range of what is considered ‘normal’ for a summer season. But is it safe to swim in? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260818/is-it-safe-to-swim-in-switzerlands-very-warm-lakes-this-summer Tue, 18 Aug 2026 10:49:58 +0200 is-it-safe-to-swim-in-switzerlands-very-warm-lakes-this-summer As pupils return to schools in many Swiss cantons, the union representing teachers has highlighted several issues that urgently need addressing - including the need for cooler classrooms. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260817/swiss-teachers-demand-schools-be-adapted-to-climate-change Mon, 17 Aug 2026 12:14:57 +0200 swiss-teachers-demand-schools-be-adapted-to-climate-change In landlocked Switzerland, the Rhine plays a strategic role in foreign trade and is a major driver of the country’s prosperity. But drought conditions this summer threaten shipping on the river. What then? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260811/drought-why-is-the-rhine-river-so-important-for-the-swiss-economy Tue, 11 Aug 2026 11:55:57 +0200 drought-why-is-the-rhine-river-so-important-for-the-swiss-economy Rainfall forecast in the coming days could relieve the prolonged drought that has had serious consequences on Switzerland's agriculture, water levels, and nature. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260814/weekend-weather-could-switzerlands-drought-conditions-finally-end Fri, 14 Aug 2026 10:03:48 +0200 weekend-weather-could-switzerlands-drought-conditions-finally-end With scorching temperatures breaking records across Europe this summer, The Local has put together tried and tested tips for surviving heatwaves from southern Europe, where locals have had decades of practice coping with the heat. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260810/gelato-for-lunch-bedlinen-in-the-freezer-heatwave-tips-from-southern-europe Mon, 10 Aug 2026 15:46:06 +0200 gelato-for-lunch-bedlinen-in-the-freezer-heatwave-tips-from-southern-europe Extremely hot, record-breaking weather has been having a significant effect on daily life in Switzerland – including the real estate market. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260709/how-heatwaves-impact-swiss-the-value-of-your-swiss-property Thu, 09 Jul 2026 16:12:22 +0200 how-heatwaves-impact-swiss-the-value-of-your-swiss-property From patriotic celebrations to music concerts and other open-air events - this is what's happening in Switzerland in August 2026. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260728/the-10-unmissable-events-in-switzerland-in-august-2026 Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:03:47 +0200 the-10-unmissable-events-in-switzerland-in-august-2026 July 2026 was the hottest month ever recorded in Switzerland. Will temperatures drop in August? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260804/weather-will-the-swiss-heatwave-finally-end-in-august Tue, 04 Aug 2026 14:23:53 +0200 weather-will-the-swiss-heatwave-finally-end-in-august Peak travel season in the Swiss Alps usually falls between December and March, when tourists visit for the winter sports. But record-breaking heatwaves mean this year is different. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260803/this-summer-switzerlands-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-tourists Mon, 03 Aug 2026 11:11:19 +0200 this-summer-switzerlands-hills-are-alive-with-the-sound-of-tourists During heatwaves, there is nothing more refreshing than plunging into the (relatively) cool waters of Switzerland’s lakes. But is swimming in Alpine lakes allowed — and if so, under what conditions? https://www.thelocal.ch/20250623/what-are-the-rules-for-swimming-in-swiss-mountain-lakes Mon, 23 Jun 2025 13:47:36 +0200 what-are-the-rules-for-swimming-in-swiss-mountain-lakes As you know by now, getting permission to purchase a fixed AC unit for a private home is a real headache in Switzerland. But some elected officials are now speaking in favour of these devices. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260731/new-reality-swiss-lawmakers-warm-up-to-easing-of-air-conditioning-rules Fri, 31 Jul 2026 14:19:30 +0200 new-reality-swiss-lawmakers-warm-up-to-easing-of-air-conditioning-rules If you are not yet fluent in any of the Swiss national languages, you may not know whether another heatwave is on the way this summer. https://www.thelocal.ch/20260629/the-essential-heatwave-vocabulary-you-need-to-follow-a-swiss-weather-forecast Mon, 29 Jun 2026 13:11:22 +0200 the-essential-heatwave-vocabulary-you-need-to-follow-a-swiss-weather-forecast