What happens when the climate becomes more extreme?

Consequences for health, society, and the environment in Switzerland

Using three climate scenarios of varying severity, the web app illustrates the potential impacts of heatwaves, prolonged drought, and heavy rainfall on Switzerland’s environment and society. It highlights the interactions and chain reactions these events can trigger, as well as the measures and solutions currently available—or under development by researchers—to manage such extreme events.
 

 

Frequently Asked Questions


Which weather events will become more frequent, intense, or unpredictable as the climate continues to warm?
Heavy rainfall events, as well as heat and drought, will occur more frequently and with greater intensity in Switzerland.
However, because glaciers are increasingly disappearing and snowfall is decreasing, extreme runoff or flooding at higher altitudes will become less frequent in the second half of the century. Furthermore, most water drains away earlier in the year because rising temperatures cause snow to melt sooner. At lower altitudes, by contrast, extreme runoff is increasing, raising the risk of high water levels and flooding.
Temperatures repeatedly reach peak levels; for instance, Basel hit 39.7°C in 2026! Prolonged heatwaves and tropical nights (nights where the temperature does not drop below 20°C) place an increasing strain on humans and animals. In Switzerland, the effects of drought particularly impact agriculture, but also affect water supplies, forestry, and the environment.
Read more: Climate Change | WSL Extremes

Where does Switzerland stand regarding the climate crisis?
The national average temperature in the summer of 2026 is currently 3.4°C above the 1991–2020 reference period (MeteoSwiss 2026). The pace and scope of climate protection measures are clearly insufficient to curb climate change, yet measures do exist: ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/downloads/press/IPCC_AR6_SYR_SlideDeck.pdf

How does an extreme climate affect health?
Heat stress can be fatal for the elderly. Pregnant women and small children are also particularly vulnerable. Livestock and animals in the wild are similarly affected. For fish and other aquatic life, rising water temperatures jeopardize growth, reproduction, and health, thereby threatening their survival. The risk of tick- and mosquito-borne diseases also increases. See more facts and figures:
NCCS-Impacts: Impacts of climate change on human and animal health

What can societies, businesses, and nations do to cope with a more extreme climate?
The NCCS develops user-centric climate services across various key areas. These serve as decision-support tools for public administration, policymakers, the business sector, and society at large.