Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss)

Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss)
Name	Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss)
Native name	Bundesamt für Meteorologie und Klimatologie (MeteoSwiss)
Formed	1863
Headquarters	Zurich
Employees	350
Parent agency	Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports

Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) The Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) is the national meteorological service based in Zurich, responsible for weather forecasting, climatological monitoring, and atmospheric research in Switzerland. It provides operational services to civil protection, aviation, agriculture, hydrology and energy sectors and contributes to international cooperation with agencies such as the World Meteorological Organization, the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts and the European Organisation for the Exploitation of Meteorological Satellites. The office maintains a dense observational network, runs modelling centres, and supports national climate assessments and adaptation planning.

History

MeteoSwiss traces its origins to the mid-19th century when observatories like the Swiss Academy of Sciences-affiliated observatories and the Zurich and Geneva meteorological stations began systematic measurements, influenced by pioneers such as Alois von Jagow and developments in Telegraphy that powered early synoptic meteorology. The service evolved through links with institutions including the Federal Polytechnic School of Zurich (later ETH Zurich), the University of Geneva and the Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and was shaped by events such as the establishment of the International Meteorological Organization and later the World Meteorological Organization. During the 20th century, wartime and post-war needs led to closer coordination with the Swiss Armed Forces and civil protection bodies, while collaborations with the European Space Agency and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts expanded satellite and numerical weather prediction capabilities. The agency’s modern identity was consolidated through federal statutes and partnerships with organisations including the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), the Swiss National Science Foundation, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change.

Organization and Governance

MeteoSwiss operates under the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sports and is overseen by the federal administration alongside agencies such as the Federal Office for Civil Protection and the Swiss Armed Forces Command Support Organisational Unit. Its governance structure interacts with cantonal authorities including the Canton of Zurich, Canton of Geneva and Canton of Valais, and coordinates with international bodies like the World Meteorological Organization, European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts, EUMETSAT and Eurocontrol. Leadership interfaces with research institutions such as ETH Zurich, University of Bern, Paul Scherrer Institute, and the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology (Empa). The office’s advisory committees include representatives from the Swiss Seismological Service, the Federal Office for the Environment, the Swiss Federal Railways, and the International Civil Aviation Organization for aeronautical meteorology matters.

Services and Responsibilities

MeteoSwiss issues operational forecasts, warnings and advisories used by entities such as the Swiss Federal Railways, Swiss International Air Lines, Swiss Federal Office for the Environment, and cantonal emergency services; it provides aviation meteorology to Eurocontrol and supports hydrological forecasting for the River Rhine and the River Rhône. The office supplies specialized products for stakeholders including the Federal Office of Public Health, the Federal Office for Agriculture, energy companies like Axpo and Alpiq, and infrastructure operators such as the Gotthard Base Tunnel authorities. MeteoSwiss contributes to national reporting for international agreements like the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change and works with the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change on assessment inputs. It also delivers climatological datasets used by the European Environment Agency, environmental NGOs like WWF Switzerland, and private weather services.

Observational Network and Infrastructure

MeteoSwiss maintains an extensive observational network incorporating surface stations, automatic weather stations, radiosonde launches, and synoptic stations integrated with networks such as the Global Observing System and EUMETNET. Instrumentation and facilities include ceilometers, Doppler radar sites linked to the Swiss radar network, satellite reception stations cooperating with EUMETSAT and the European Space Agency, and high-altitude observatories on peaks like the Jungfraujoch and the Sphinx Observatory. The office operates numerical modelling infrastructure using computing centres that interface with ECMWF and national supercomputing resources such as those at CSCS and partners like Swisscom. Observations support collaborations with the International Civil Aviation Organization and research campaigns with institutions including University of Lausanne, University of Zurich, and Paul Scherrer Institute.

Research and Climate Services

MeteoSwiss undertakes applied research in atmospheric physics, mesoscale modelling, cryosphere studies and climate services, in collaboration with ETH Zurich, University of Bern, Paul Scherrer Institute, Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research (WSL), and the Swiss National Science Foundation. Its climate monitoring contributes to national climate assessments and datasets used by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change and the European Environment Agency, and supports adaptation initiatives by the Federal Office for the Environment, cantonal governments, and organizations such as HotellerieSuisse and the Swiss Tourism Federation. Research topics include alpine meteorology, glacier mass balance relevant to the Aletsch Glacier, and extreme event attribution connected to studies by the World Weather Attribution network. The office publishes peer-reviewed work coordinated with journals like Journal of Climate, Quarterly Journal of the Royal Meteorological Society, and participates in EU research programmes such as Horizon 2020.

Public Outreach and Education

MeteoSwiss provides public warnings, educational materials and outreach through channels linked with national media outlets such as SRG SSR, regional broadcasters in Ticino and Romandy, and digital platforms used by companies like Swisscom and NGOs including Pro Natura. It offers school resources aligned with curricula from institutions like ETH Zurich outreach programmes and joint events with museums such as the Swiss National Museum and the Haus der Natur. The office engages citizens via citizen science projects coordinated with universities like University of Geneva and organisations such as MeteoSwiss Weather Service Volunteers and collaborates on exhibitions with the Technorama and science festivals in Zurich and Bern. Public interfaces include tailored services for sectors represented by associations like Swiss Farmers' Union and Swiss Ski.

Category:National meteorological services Category:Scientific organisations based in Switzerland Category:Government agencies established in 1863