Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology MeteoSwiss

Hail hazard on a reference area of 100m2: hail size with 100-year return period

Hail hazard on a reference area of 100m2: hail size with 100-year return period

The hail hazard maps show statistically estimated return values of the hailstone size LEHA-100 for the 100-year return period. LEHA-100 describes the largest hailstone size to be expected on a reference area of 100 m2. It is derived from the radar algorithm MESHS, which is the size of the maximum expected hailstone per square kilometre (radar data from MeteoSwiss for 2002 to 2020).The new hail hazard maps represent the hailstone size as a function of the return period T. They describe the hailstone size that is exceeded under current climate conditions, per reference area, with a probability of 1/T per year. Thus, the map for 50 years shows which hail size is to be exceeded on the long term on average once in 50 years or with a probability of 2% per year. These maps provide an updated basis for assessing the local hail hazard. The map of hail zones in Annex G1 of the standard SIA 261/1 (2020) remains valid. MESHS: Maximum Expected Severe Hail Size is defined as the maximum expected hail size per square kilometre. This means that most of the hail stones in this area of one square kilometre are smaller. LEHA: Largest Expected Hail on a reference Area is a mathematical derivation from the hail size MESHS, which refers to an area of one square kilometre. LEHA describes the largest expected hail size that can be expected on a smaller reference area. In extreme cases, a hail stone of size MESHS can occur on the smaller reference area, but this will rarely happen. DOI: https://doi.org/10.18751/Climate/Griddata/CHHC/1.0

Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport

Inventar der Armee- und Kriegsdenkmäler der Schweiz

Inventar der Armee- und Kriegsdenkmäler der Schweiz

Das Inventar der Armee- und Kriegsdenkmäler der Schweiz umfasst rund 900 Skulpturen, Gedenksteine und -tafeln, Stelen, Obeliske oder Statuen, die über die Jahre in der Schweiz für militärhistorische Ereignisse und Personen errichtet worden sind. Sie erinnern an alteidgenössische Schlachten, die Präsenz fremder Streitkräfte in der Schweiz, Unfälle und Unglücke, aufgelöste Truppenverbände, herausragende Persönlichkeiten der Armee oder an die beiden Aktivdienste des 20. Jahrhunderts und sind entsprechend kategorisiert. Einige militärhistorisch relevante Ereignisse, die diesen Kategorien nicht zweifelsfrei zugeordnet werden können, werden zudem in einer Spezialkategorie erfasst.

Federal Office for the Environment FOEN

Modelled altitudinal vegetation belts for 1975

Modelled altitudinal vegetation belts for 1975

This map shows the altitudinal belts of forest vegetation in Switzerland for the period 1961-1990. The following altitudinal vegetation belts only occur in the southern valleys: «hyperinsubric», «collin with beech», and «lower/upper montane». To derive the map, the altitudinal vegetation belts presented in Frehner et al. (2005/2009) were quantified and refined. For this purpose, their respective upper boundaries were modelled and combined with models of the beech area and fir areas (main, secondary and relict areas) (Zischg et al. subm.). The natural upper timberline was also modelled using an analogous procedure (Könz et al. 2021). Climate parameters and geological basic information were used as a basis for modelling of the boundaries and areas.

Swiss Federal Office of Energy

Potential use of lakes and rivers for heat extraction and heat discharge

Potential use of lakes and rivers for heat extraction and heat discharge

Lakes and rivers provide a great yet largely untapped source of thermal energy. In Switzerland, this renewable source of energy source could be used for heating (heat extraction) and cooling (heat discharge), since many cities are located close to lakes and rivers and the technology is well established. The potential of Switzerland's largest lakes and rivers for heat extraction and heat discharge was estimated using simple assumptions. Water body-specific characteristics were only partially taken into account. The potentials are to be understood as a reference point, and should therefore not be used as a definitive basis for planning. The assessment was carried out by Eawag, the Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology of the ETH Domain, and financed by the Federal Office for the Environment. This dataset indicates the potential of Switzerland's larger lakes and rivers for heat extraction and heat discharge.

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