Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL

Avalanche bulletin and snow situation
Edition: Thu 8.1., 17:00
Avalanche Bulletin
Research 07.01.2026
Less stem growth despite a longer season
Less stem growth despite a longer season

Earlier start to the season but less growth: How heat and drought are slowing down stem growth in Switzerland.

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Research 15.12.2025
Switch flipped for conditions conducive to fire
Switch flipped for conditions conducive to fire

Dry weather and low humidity are the main drivers of forest fires, with temperature playing a minor role.

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Hubschrauber mit rotem Löschbehälter fliegt vor orangefarbenem Rauch über grünem Feld mit Feuerwehrzelt.
 
Research 10.12.2025
CCAMM: conclusion highlights changing risks
CCAMM: conclusion highlights changing risks

Programme ends: researchers reveal how climate change is altering natural hazards in the Alps – and where action is now required.

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A mountain landscape featuring snow-covered peaks, rocky cliffs, and a waterfall flowing into a river. In the foreground, a green plain with scattered houses. Three people sit at a table examining maps or plans. The sky shows the sun, clouds, and wind lines indicating weather phenomena. On the right side, a grid pattern is overlaid on a mountain.
 
Research 08.12.2025
How many insects fly in the sky?
How many insects fly in the sky?

Using radar data, researchers estimate that around 100 trillion insects fly in the air above the USA every day.

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Research for people and the environment in a changing world

News

Institutional
05.01.2026
A woman with short hair and glasses is smiling into the camera. The background is grey and neutral.

New head for Biodiversity and Conservation Biology

Anita Risch takes over as head of the Biodiversity and Conservation Biology research unit on January 1st.

Research
17.12.2025

Forest report 2025: Important findings

The Swiss Forest Report 2025 by WSL and FOEN was published this year. Important findings in this video!

Research
16.12.2025

How much longer will there be glaciers?

A new study with WSL participation has estimated how many glaciers will survive until 2100. In the Alps, only 20 may remain.

Institutional
09.12.2025
A woman with long blonde hair sits on a desk in an office surrounded by various indoor plants. She wears a black turtleneck sweater and reddish-orange pants. A computer is visible next to her, along with a white board in the background.

1.89 million for understanding forest resilience

WSL forest ecologist Charlotte Grossiord receives an ERC Consolidator Grant to understand forest resilience to climate change.

Institutional
04.12.2025
Katrin Meusburgn sits on the ground in a forest, next to a freshly planted tree. The surroundings indicate reforestation activity.

WSL soil researcher becomes ETH professor

Katrin Meusburger researches how soils store and transfer water. The ETH Board has now appointed her as titular professor.

Institutional
27.11.2025
A woman with long dark hair smiles warmly at the camera. She is wearing a dark shirt and has a friendly demeanor, set against a plain, light-colored background.

1.8 mio CHF for research into the carbon cycle

Earth scientist Franziska Lechleitner is researching underground carbon cycles with an SNF Starting Grant worth 1.8 mio CHF.

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Events

26 February 2026

Multifunktionale Lösungen für Städte der Zukunft

Dieser Workshop bietet eine Plattform, um sich über die Herausforderungen und Herangehensweisen bei Planung, Gestaltung und Umsetzung von…

12 March 2026

Multifunktionale Lösungen für Städte der Zukunft - Tag2

Dieser Workshop bietet eine Plattform, um sich über die Herausforderungen und Herangehensweisen bei Planung, Gestaltung und Umsetzung von…

17 March 2026

Waldböden im Klimawandel - Runder Waldtisch

Der Waldboden speichert im Schnitt mehr Kohlenstoff als die oberirdische Biomasse – und er tut weit mehr: Er ist Lebensraum für unzählige…

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