Climate change will heat Switzerland swiftly: scientists

Switzerland will suffer regular heatwaves and drought by 2050 as average temperatures rise swiftly and disrupt living patterns in the heart of Europe, a report predicted Wednesday.

The report commissioned by the interior and environment ministries forecast that average temperatures in the Alpine country would rise by at least 2.0 degrees Celsius (35.6 F) in summer and 3.0 degrees C in winter by 2050.

Rainfall in Switzerland will drop by about one-fifth during summer by the middle of the century, sharply reducing water availability through to the autumn, the report said.

It predicted that agriculture would be affected by the sharp shift in the climate, prompting crop changes, and power supplies will falter. A large proportion of Switzerland’s electricity is supplied by hydroelectric dams in the mountains.

Yet, the changing weather — milder winters and hotter summers — will shift energy needs towards more electricity due to demand for air conditioning and away from winter heating — predominantly oil in Switzerland.

yahoo