After a 2006 autumn and a winter rich with temperature records, spring 2007 has also featured the highest temperatures ever recorded by the Swiss Weather Service. Compared to the average for the country temperatures were 3.3 °C above average ! The scale of the increase was between 3.0°C and 3.7°C, depending on the weather station. Above 3000m, and in certain stations below that altitude, the increase was slightly less than 3.0°C above normal.

The average temperature between March and may was about 1°C above those of 2003, which, until now was the hottest spring since 1864, the start of measures in Switzerland.

Graphic : Swiss temperatures are taken at 12 representative stations - large size

The extremely hot April 2007 had a significant effect on the averages even if both March and May were themselves above average. The relentless above average temperatures since the middle of last year has led to extreme temperatures never before seen in Switzerland over a period of 12 months. The average temperature for the last 12 months is 1 degree above the previous 12 months records from 1947/48 and 2003/2004.

Graphic : Average temperatures over a 12 month period set against the average over the period. - large size

The total rainfall was very variable. From Neuchâtel to Olten and the length of the Jura range, the quantity of rainfall was 120-150% above average. In the rest of the Jura and as with the other regions to the north of the alps the quantities were 110-130%. In the Valais the amount of rain was also very high. In the western Alps and on the plain the quantities were around average. In the Grisons and the north-east of the Germanic part of Switzerland the quantities of rainfall were variable. On the other hand, the Engadine and the Tessin only saw 50-70% of average. There was also a lot of sunshine to the north of the Alps, Jura and plain, 140-155% of average with more than average sunshine elsewhere.

http://www.meteosuisse.ch/web/fr/meteo/actualite_meteo/printemps_2007_extremement0.html