Climate Change Scenarios CH2018 Alps

In Switzerland, the Alps will be the region that experiences the most pronounced warming. If global greenhouse gas emissions continue to rise unchecked, the annual average temperature will probably rise by 2–4°C by the middle of the century. Precipitation is also expected to decrease in summer but increase in winter.

Temperature

Since measurements began in 1864, temperatures in the Alps have risen significantly. How severely and quickly warming takes place depends on how the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere change. If greenhouse gas emissions continue unabated at the current rate (RCP8.5 emission scenario), the annual average temperature in the Alpine region of Switzerland can be expected to rise by an additional 2.1–3.9°C by the middle of this century. If a rapid reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (RCP2.6 emission scenario) can be achieved globally, however, the additional warming can probably be restricted to 0.7–2.1°C. In both cases, the warming will be greater in the summer than in the winter.

Precipitation

Summer precipitation in the Alps changed relatively little over the course of the 20th century. Without effective climate change mitigation (RCP8.5), precipitation in the winter is likely to increase even further in the future: By the middle of this century, climate models indicate an increase of between 0% and 17% in the months of December to February. In summer, the downward trend is less pronounced in the Alpine region than north of the Alps. The change in precipitation in this season ranges between -18% and +15% on average over the Alpine region; however, most model calculations do show a reduction in precipitation volumes. Climate change mitigation measures would moderate these changes significantly.

Heavy rainfall events are likely to increase in frequency and intensity in all seasons. In general, the uncertainty of changes in precipitation levels is greater than for changes in temperature.

What do RCP2.6 and RCP8.5 mean? You can find an explanation of the emission scenarios here.

Additional Information

What do the changes mean for my place of residence?

Here you will find comprehensive information on the future of the climate at a number of monitoring stations in the Alps. How many days with fresh snowfall can be expected in Zermatt, for example, around the year 2060? How will the temperature change in Adelboden?

How does the climate of the Alps change at different elevations?

Below, you will find detailed information on the future climate in the Alps at different elevations. How many frost days can still be expected at altitudes above 2,500 m a.s.l. by the end of the century? Will there be summer days even at high altitudes?

Last modification 22.12.2021

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