Interview with Gaudenz Flury

The nature enthusiast from Graubünden grew up in Davos before studying geography with a specialization in atmospheric physics in Zurich. Gaudenz Flury has been working as a media meteorologist at SRF Meteo since 2012, where he produces weather forecasts and presents meteo programs.

What made you choose the profession of meteorologist?

A combination of coincidences and previous training. I was already interested when I was at secondary school. I was outside a lot because of sport. For the cross-country races, it was important for me to know what the weather would be like the next day. So I tried to build “my own” forecast so that I could wax my skis properly. During my studies, I consistently focused on weather and climate. The fact that I then got a job with one of the few “weather service providers” is also coincidence and luck. Even after 10 years as a “weatherman”, I don't regret my career choice for a moment.

SRF has been providing weather forecasts since 1956. Today, even up to seven days into the future. How are the weather forecasts produced by SRF Meteo?

As with all weather services, our forecasts are based on weather models. The so-called numerical weather forecast is used to calculate the weather for a few days into the future. At SRF Meteo, we view the weather models relevant to Central Europe several times a day and “build” our forecast from them as a team. Experience also plays an important role here. Every model has strengths and weaknesses. With this knowledge, we then try to make the most realistic forecast. It is also always a challenge to find the right words. Especially when the exact weather pattern is not so clear.

How often are the forecasts right?

There are colleagues who say that you are at 90 to 95% for the next day. I don't believe that. After all, what is a correct forecast if I make a forecast on the radio for the next five days for the whole of Switzerland? If I predict 27 degrees and it's 25.5 degrees, is that wrong? If I say it could get wet locally for a short time and there is only a shower on the border with Austria, is my forecast correct or not? If I forecast 5 hours of sunshine and there are 7 hours in Basel and 5 hours in Bern, is that a point for me or not? Where in Switzerland is it most often beautiful and where is the weather worst? Well, what does beautiful mean? What does bad mean? After a long dry spell, it's most beautiful where it rains. In Switzerland, everyone can have their favorite weather. In our country, you can experience almost any weather if you want to. The most sunshine was recorded on the Cimetta above Locarno between 1991 and 2020, averaging 2,256 minutes per year. The most rain in the same period was recorded on the Säntis with 2,840 millimetres per year.

Why are heat and cold waves and other extreme weather events becoming more frequent in Switzerland?

More hot days are a direct consequence of man-made climate change. That is a fact. From a scientific point of view, there is nothing more to argue about. On the other hand, cold spells are becoming increasingly rare, but frost damage is not. In a warmer climate, plants sprout earlier; a cold snap then hits them hard.

How do you personally deal with climate change?

Climate change was not an issue when I was a child, although there were scientific studies about it before I was born. I only became aware of the problem in secondary school at the end of the 1990s. I started my studies in 2001, and the experts were already well aware of the issue back then. That was more than 20 years ago, so unfortunately we missed out on a lot of years. Of course I can understand that many people are concerned today. We should be too. But worrying doesn't achieve much if we don't do anything to change anything in our lives. Have you changed your personal behavior since everyone has been talking about climate change? I now live in an almost CO2-neutral home and I cycle to work. However, I'm still not perfect when it comes to my leisure time and diet. But I'm working on it.

Gaudenz Flury's tip - Palfries plateau

The ride on the nostalgic former military cable car is an experience in itself (be sure to book in advance). At the top of the Palfries plateau, a magnificent panorama and a wide network of walking and hiking trails for families and mountain hikers await you.

Arrival: with the IR Aare Linth to Sargans, with bus 433/441 to Heiligkreuz Ragnatsch, with the cable car to the Palfries plateau