Some eastern parts of the country experienced up to 80 centimetres of snowfall in 24 hours. Parts of the Goms valley on the border with Italy were cut off due to blocked roads.
Since Wednesday some parts of the Alps have received up to 2 metres of fresh snow. These are record quantities that usually only occur every 20 years or so, experts said.
During the night to Saturday, parts of the country experienced the coldest night of winter so far at up to -15 degrees Celsius.
Traffic chaos in Zurich. Snowfall in many regions of Switzerland led to numerous traffic accidents.
Keystone / Wey Alexandra
Difficult working conditions: a postman barely finds the letterbox.
Keystone / Gian Ehrenzeller
Neither trams nor buses can run in the city of Zurich at the moment.
Keystone / Christian Beutler
Out and about with the sledge in the city of Zurich.
Reuters / Arnd Wiegmann
The penguins feel right at home for once.
Keystone / Alexandra Wey
Some people are happy: snowboarding in the middle of the city of Geneva.
Keystone / Salvatore Di Nolfi
A snow blower clears a road in the village of Goeschenen in the canton of Uri during heavy snowfall.
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
An avalanche has buried the cantonal road in Uri, which remains closed until further notice.
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
The situation in the mountains is tense.
Keystone / Urs Flueeler
There were several avalanches in the Bernese Oberland and the central canton of Uri on Thursday. There is a continuing risk for those living in these areas, as well as for winter sports enthusiasts.
“High avalanche danger will be encountered over a wide area. Outside marked and open pistes a very dangerous avalanche situation will prevail,” warned the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF in its avalanche bulletin for Friday.
The bulletin showedExternal link a level 4 high rating across a large swathe of the country, from Sion in the west through to Andermatt, and on to Chur in the east.
Some parts of the country are struggling to cope with the snow. Zurich’s public transport company halted all tram and bus services in Switzerland’s biggest city on Friday, saying snow had brought down trees and blocked access to three vehicle depots overnight.
But others are enjoying the unusually high snow levels, such as the penguins in Zurich Zoo (which is currently closed due to coronavirus regulations (video SRF).
External Content
Snowfall is expected to slowly ease throughout the day, weather experts predict.
Zurich laboratory finds intestinal bacteria in coffee machines
This content was published on
Last year, the Zurich Cantonal Laboratory found defects in one in four samples of milk drinks from coffee machines. Too many intestinal bacteria were found in a number of samples.
SWISS Belgrade-Zurich flight forced to land in Germany
This content was published on
Swiss flight LX1413 from Belgrade to Zurich had to make an unscheduled landing today in Friedrichshafen, southern Germany.
New Swiss 3D simulation tool offers better landslide forecasting
This content was published on
A new 3D simulation tool is enabling much more accurate avalanche forecasts. The model, which proved its worth during the landslides in Brienz (GR) and Blatten (VS), could lead to more effective management of alpine risks.
Alleged leader of Kosovar terrorist group indicted in Switzerland
This content was published on
The Office of the Attorney General of Switzerland has brought charges against a Kosovar on suspicion of being the leader of the Swiss branch of a Kosovar terrorist organisation. He is also suspected of having been active in the management of the organisation in Kosovo.
Swiss glacier lake drains without causing flooding damage
This content was published on
The Faverges glacial lake on the Plaine Morte above Lenk in the Bernese Oberland drained over the weekend. There was no flooding or damage, the authorities announced on Monday.
Chihuahua leads Swiss rescue team to owner stuck in a crevasse
This content was published on
A Chihuahua helped to rescue a man on the Fee Glacier above Saas-Fee VS on Friday. It alerted a rescue team to its owner who had fallen into a crevasse.
Swiss bosses distance themselves from the United States
This content was published on
According to a survey of managers, Swiss companies are increasingly turning away from the USA and orientating themselves more towards Southeast Asia and the EU. This is the result of a recent survey.
This content was published on
The Fête de l'Epouvantail (scarecrow festival) is celebrating its 30th anniversary and returns to Denens in canton Vaud for its seventh edition from July 10-20.
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.
Read more
More
What winter used to look like in Switzerland
This content was published on
Snow in Swiss cities is sparse these days. This was not always the case, as historical black-and-white photographs taken between 1930 and 1970 show.
You can find an overview of ongoing debates with our journalists here . Please join us!
If you want to start a conversation about a topic raised in this article or want to report factual errors, email us at english@swissinfo.ch.