Heavy snowfall across Switzerland led to significant travel disruptions on December 23, 2024, prompting traffic restrictions on roads and railways. Reports indicated numerous accidents and difficult travel conditions, with regions particularly affected including Bern, Schwyz, and St. Gallen. According to the Swiss news agency Keystone-SDA, around 70 road accidents were reported just in the canton of Bern during the morning rush hour.
While police stated most incidents were self-inflicted and resulted only in minor damage, the sheer volume of reports emphasizes the challenges posed by the adverse weather conditions. Apart from the accidents, lorries were reported stuck, contributing to temporary road closures, including on the A1 motorway between Bern and Mühleberg. Thankfully, by midday, many routes were reopened and the situation began to normalize.
Officials highlighted the severe weather had also compromised public transport services, with Bernmobil suspending several bus routes due to unsafe conditions—though tram services remained operational. The Swiss Federal Railways faced delays and cancellations as trains struggled with snow-covered tracks, frustrating commuters eager to travel before the Christmas holiday.
Weather reports detailed the extent of the snowfall, stating over one meter of snow had accumulated in some high Alpine areas, raising avalanche risks to very high levels. Particularly affected regions included Valais and other areas of the Alps, where heavy snowdrifts had formed. Travelers were warned to stay vigilant as authorities conducted avalanche risk assessments following the heavy snowfall.
The Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology noted the snowy conditions were easing by Monday afternoon, with predictions indicating only isolated snow showers would occur moving forward. Notably, areas below elevations of 500 to 600 meters were expected to see the snow rapidly melt away by Christmas Eve, even though the Bernese Plateau and parts of the central plateau might retain their snow cover due to snowfall accumulations exceeding ten centimeters.
Interestingly, it seems where it snowed varied greatly across Switzerland. While central and western lowlands suffered from significant disruptions, southern regions, like the canton of Ticino, were less impacted, hinting at the uneven distribution of snow across the country.
The forecast indicates snow would continue falling along the Alps and the Jura regions until Tuesday morning, but the overall severity of the weather had started to subside. The hopes for many remain focused on achieving at least some form of winter wonderland this Christmas season.
Given these developments, it's evident how weather extremes can swiftly alter everyday activities and plans for thousands. The aftermath of today’s snowfall will see families and travelers hurriedly adjusting to transit schedules as they prepare to gather for holiday festivities—an experience not easily dampened, even by heavy snow.
Much of Switzerland anticipates returning to more stable conditions soon, but the disruptions serve as yet another reminder of how weather can impact the tightly-knit travel schedules during what is typically one of the busiest seasons of the year. Authorities are encouraging travelers to stay updated on road and weather conditions and take necessary precautions when driving or planning transport.
