Drought in Switzerland: Rain Has Not Ended the Shortage
Federal bulletin shows low flows and groundwater deficits north of the Alps
Updated 27 September 2026: This article was published on 25 August and described the drought at that time. The assessment below has been updated using the federal bulletin of 24 September. Figures from 2023 in the original version should not be read as data for 2026.
Rain has brought only limited relief
The federal drought platform reports that some weather fronts brought rain to parts of Switzerland, but the precipitation deficit over the preceding 30 days worsened in areas north of the Alps, parts of the Bernese Oberland and Goms. In these areas, precipitation was about 35 to 50 percent of the usual amount. Conditions differ by region; the same figure does not describe the whole country.
Rivers, soil and groundwater
Low river flows remain pronounced north of the Alps. According to the bulletin, flows at many monitoring stations are unusually low, especially along the High Rhine. Lake levels also vary: Lake Constance, Lake Zurich, Walensee and Lake Lucerne are low, while Lake Neuchâtel and Lake Geneva are near their seasonal norms.
Soil moisture remains substantially below normal north of the Alps. Some shallow groundwater reserves recovered after the rain, but the bulletin says the amounts were insufficient for a lasting rise in groundwater levels and spring discharge.
What the federal bulletin does not announce
The bulletin describes drought conditions and their outlook. It does not announce a nationwide water-saving order, a new federal payment programme for farmers or a forecast of electricity shortages. Any local restrictions must be checked with the competent local authority. For the latest regional assessment, see the federal drought bulletin.
