Winter Storms Early 2018

The winter storm Burglind, which swept across Switzerland on 3/4 January 2018, caused forest damage in all cantons except Ticino. According to a survey conducted by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN among the cantons, the total volume of timber blown down amounts to approximately 1.3 million cubic metres, equivalent to a quarter of annual timber harvesting. Not yet included are any additional smaller volumes following yesterday's storm low Evi. The 1999 storm Lothar had caused ten times the destruction in Swiss forests.

In most cantons, winter storm Burglind did not result in widespread area damage, but rather so-called scattered damage: it felled many individual trees or groups of trees. A survey carried out by the Federal Office for the Environment FOEN among the cantons shows that the estimated volume of timber lost to the storm in Switzerland amounts to approximately 1.3 million m3 in total.

The forests most severely affected were those in the Mittelland and at the southern foot of the Jura: in the cantons of Bern, Lucerne, Solothurn, Zurich and Aargau. Larger areas of damage occurred in particular in the cantons of Bern, Lucerne and Solothurn.

Impacts and Consequences for the Federal Government

The exact effects on forest ecosystem services will only become apparent at a later stage – many mountain areas are still covered in deep snow. It can be assumed that the volume of timber felled by the storm can be processed and marketed within the framework of the currently ongoing timber harvesting campaign. Many regularly planned timber felling operations in the affected areas are likely to be postponed, allowing the market to remain receptive. It is not yet foreseeable how much of the storm timber will be left in the forest and how much will come to market. Bark beetles can reproduce particularly well on freshly felled spruce wood; these effects will become apparent in spring. This risk does not apply to deciduous wood. Experience from Lothar and Vivian also shows that storm events create light and deadwood in the forest, which can have a positive effect on biodiversity .

Since the storm damage does not exceed one year's harvest, it is not of national significance (as Lothar was in 1999). The federal government therefore does not envisage any additional measures. Existing instruments such as the programme agreements between the federal government and cantons, as well as the established cooperation with the industry, are sufficient. Further storm damage or subsequent effects of bark beetle infestation could mean that additional financial resources from the federal government and cantons will be required.

Caution in the forest

Clearance work has already begun in many places. However, it is being hampered in higher elevations by the heavy snow and the risk of avalanches. In addition, the work had to be interrupted in recent days due to Storm Evi. Since trees damaged by the storm may still fall or break at a later point, it is important that clearance work is carried out by professionally trained personnel so that the necessary precautionary and protective measures can be taken. The FOEN recommends that the public strictly adhere to the signage of the local forestry service, respect path closures, and in particular refrain from walking in the forest when it is windy.

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