Record-breaking cold descends on Switzerland
Temperatures in eastern Switzerland have sunk to record lows as the mercury plummeted to -26.3 degrees Celsius early on Sunday morning.
That beats the coldest temperature recorded so far this season of -24.4 degrees set one month ago in canton Neuchâtel, the Swiss meteorological service has reported.
Canton Ticino in southern Switzerland has also experienced bitter temperatures in recent days. In Magadino meteorologists recorded –11.4 degrees Celsius.
Meteorologists say the frigid temperatures, though record-breaking, often occur this time of year. Statistics show similar December temperatures every second year, they said.
One of the snowiest winters so far on record has left the Alps with snow depths well above average, according to the Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research in Davos.
In compliance with the JTI standards
More: SWI swissinfo.ch certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative
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.