Emergency
112European emergency 117Police 118Fire brigade 144Ambulance 1414Rega (air rescue) 145Tox Info (poisoning)
Local time
Guide · GUIDE 10

Shelter during storms & severe weather

Last reviewed on 05.07.2026

Go indoors, keep distance from windows and avoid forests, isolated trees, building scaffolding, roofs and open terrain. Beforehand, secure loose objects and close windows and roller blinds. MeteoSwiss warns in five levels; from level 3 (orange) the population and authorities are actively notified. Take the warnings seriously and follow the authorities' instructions.

Winter storms and heavy summer thunderstorms with hurricane-force gusts, hail and heavy rain are among the most common natural events in Switzerland. The greatest danger comes from falling trees, blown-off roofs and flying objects – the most effective protection is simple: take warnings seriously and get indoors in time. MeteoSwiss warns of wind, thunderstorms and rain in five levels (1 = no or low danger up to 5 = very high danger); from level 2 (yellow) it warns, from level 3 (orange) the population and authorities are actively notified. It is important to distinguish between storms/wind and thunderstorms/lightning: in a storm, what flies or falls matters most; in a thunderstorm, the lightning danger comes in addition, and special rules apply to that.

Current situation: check the situation dashboard to see whether any warnings are currently in effect for this hazard.

How do I read the MeteoSwiss warning levels?

MeteoSwiss warns of natural hazards on a five-level scale: level 1 green (no or low danger), level 2 yellow (moderate danger), level 3 orange (significant danger), level 4 red (major danger) and level 5 dark red (very high danger). This colour scale is uniform across all natural hazards of the federal government.

Warnings are issued from level 2. From level 3, the population and authorities are actively notified – by then you should adjust your activities. Each warning includes specific behaviour recommendations provided by the federal natural hazards portal (naturgefahren.ch).

The levels are not directly comparable between hazard types: an orange wind warning and an orange thunderstorm warning do not mean the same magnitude. What matters to you is the colour and the associated recommendation, not the comparison between the phenomena.

Separate warnings exist for wind/storms, thunderstorms and rain, among others. Hail is part of the thunderstorm warning, not a separate warning product. Flood warnings are the responsibility of the Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN) on the same five-level scale – see the separate guide «Shelter from flooding».

Before: prepare

  1. Monitor warnings from MeteoSwiss and the MeteoSwiss app as well as the natural hazards portal (naturgefahren.ch); additionally watch Alertswiss when an alarm is issued
  2. Clear balcony and garden: put away or secure garden furniture, flower pots, parasols, bicycles and other loose objects
  3. Close/raise roller blinds and shutters, close and lock windows and doors
  4. Park vehicles in the garage if possible, not under trees or in exposed locations
  5. Check the securing of antennas, solar systems and similar installations (have it checked)
  6. Keep a charged power bank and a crank or battery radio ready – a storm can cause a power outage

During: in the storm

  1. Stay indoors and keep distance from windows (glass breakage from hail and flying objects)
  2. Avoid forests, forest edges, isolated trees and groups of trees – do not drive on forest roads or tree-lined avenues during a storm
  3. Avoid roofs, building edges and rock overhangs as well as building scaffolding
  4. Avoid open terrain, masts, towers and antennas; watch for falling objects (roof tiles, branches, power lines)
  5. Avoid water and lakeshores, stop water activities immediately
  6. When driving, watch for strong crosswinds at exposed locations (e.g. bridges), drive slowly and keep distance
  7. Do not carry out repairs during the storm; follow the authorities' instructions

Thunderstorms & lightning: the special rules

A thunderstorm brings the risk of lightning in addition to the wind danger. MeteoSwiss only issues thunderstorm warnings at level 3 (orange) and level 4 (red) – so a thunderstorm warning always already means significant or major danger.

Safe places are a solid building or a car with a closed metal body. The car protects because the closed metal shell directs the charge outwards (Faraday cage principle) – not because of the rubber tyres. This is a physical explanation, not an official federal regulation.

The most dangerous places are open terrain, mountain ridges, crests and peaks, isolated trees and forest edges, bodies of water, and masts, towers and antennas. MeteoSwiss explicitly names these as places to avoid.

  1. Watch the time between lightning and thunder: seconds divided by three roughly gives the distance in kilometres (sound takes roughly three seconds per kilometre)
  2. Conservative rule of the accident prevention authority (bfu): if less than 10 seconds pass between lightning and thunder (storm closer than roughly 3 km), do not stay outdoors – immediately seek shelter
  3. 30/30 rule (SAC / SRF Meteo): if less than 30 seconds between lightning and thunder, immediately go indoors or in a car; do not leave shelter until 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder
  4. If no shelter can be reached in open terrain: go into a protective crouch (feet close together, as little ground contact as possible) and do not lie flat
  5. When swimming or on the water: get out immediately and gain distance from the shore

After: clear up

  1. Go outside only after the warning is lifted; check house, balcony and garden for storm damage
  2. Beware of loose branches, roof parts and dangling lines
  3. Never touch or raise torn or dangling power lines – report them to the utility
  4. Photograph damage and report it to building insurance
  5. Check tree stock and have exposed branches trimmed
  6. Support neighbours and people in need of help, especially older people

What equipment do I need for a storm?

Equipment overlaps with emergency supplies and power outage preparedness – a storm often causes a power outage. Get the material before the season; in the event it is often sold out.

  1. Crank or battery radio (FM/DAB+) and spare batteries for warnings
  2. Torch or headlamp, candles and lighter
  3. Duct tape and plastic film to temporarily seal broken windows
  4. Bucket and cloth for incoming water
  5. Charged mobile phone and power bank, important numbers on paper

Common mistakes

  1. Ignoring warning levels or staying outdoors in a thunderstorm
  2. Climbing onto the roof or balcony during the storm to secure or repair something
  3. Seeking shelter under isolated trees, at forest edges or next to building scaffolding
  4. Driving through flooded underpasses or over forest roads blocked by branches
  5. Touching or raising dangling or torn power lines
  6. Going outside too soon after the thunderstorm – the last thunder was not 30 minutes ago
  7. Lying flat on open ground during lightning instead of going into a protective crouch
MeteoSwiss warning levels and correct behaviour
Level Colour Meaning Recommended behaviour
1 Green No or low danger No special measures necessary
2 Yellow Moderate danger Monitor weather development, secure loose objects
3 Orange Significant danger Population/authorities activation; avoid exposed activities, stay indoors, avoid forests and open terrain
4 Red Major danger Avoid hazard areas, stay indoors, follow authorities' instructions
5 Dark red Very high danger Greatest caution; strictly follow authorities' requests

Colours and meanings of the five-level scale: MeteoSwiss / Federal natural hazards portal (naturgefahren.ch), as of July 2026. Warnings are issued from level 2; from level 3 the population and authorities are actively notified. Detailed behaviour recommendations by hazard are available at

Frequently asked questions

What to do in a storm?

Stay indoors, keep distance from windows, close windows and doors and close roller blinds. Before, secure loose objects. Outdoors, avoid forests, forest edges, isolated trees, roofs, rock overhangs and building scaffolding. Follow the authorities' instructions and do not carry out repairs during the storm.

What do the MeteoSwiss warning levels mean?

There are five levels: 1 green (no or low danger), 2 yellow (moderate danger), 3 orange (significant danger), 4 red (major danger) and 5 dark red (very high danger). Warnings are issued from level 2; from level 3 the population and authorities are actively notified. The levels are not directly comparable between different hazards.

Outdoors in a thunderstorm – what to do?

Immediately find a solid building or a car. As a rule of thumb: if less than 10 seconds pass between lightning and thunder, do not stay outdoors (bfu rule); according to the 30/30 rule, do not leave shelter until 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder. Avoid open terrain, mountain ridges, isolated trees, bodies of water, masts and towers. Without shelter, go into a protective crouch and do not lie down.

Is a car safe in a storm and thunderstorm?

A car with a closed metal body protects against lightning because the metal shell directs the charge outward (Faraday cage) – not because of the rubber tyres. In a storm: do not park under trees or in exposed places and when driving watch for strong crosswinds at bridges and open places. Do not drive through flooded underpasses.

When is it over and safe again?

In a thunderstorm, only leave shelter 30 minutes after the last lightning or thunder. In a storm, go back outdoors once the warning is lifted. Then watch for loose branches, roof parts and dangling power lines; never touch torn lines, report them to the utility.

Where do I find current severe weather warnings?

At the federal natural hazards portal (naturgefahren.ch) and at MeteoSwiss (website and MeteoSwiss app). When authorities issue an alert, also via Alertswiss (app and website), sirens and radio (FM/DAB+).

Official sources