Switzerland experienced second-warmest October on record

After a record warm September, Switzerland registered its second-hottest October since measurements began in 1864.

The first half of October was marked by extremely fine weather. For the whole month the average temperature across the country was 9.8° C, the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) said on Monday.

This is 3.1° C above the monthly norm for the 1991-2020 period. The October record of 10.4° C dates to 2022.

In Lugano, canton Ticino, October was the warmest ever recorded - 2.8° C above the norm.

In several locations, when comparing temperature measurements over the past 100 years, October 2023 was only just below previous records. Compared to the pre-industrial period (1871-1900), October 2023 was 2.7° C warmer on average.

During the first 13 days of October, 38 locations across Switzerland registered temperature records. Many places experienced summer-like weather of over 25° C. Basel-Binningen recorded nine such days and Bern-Zollikofen five. Comprovasco, canton Ticino, measured the highest temperature at 29.4° C on October 8.

The first half of the month saw practically no precipitation. Rain and snow above 1,700 metres fell on October 14-15. ...