SGM Weather Hike to Sämtisersee in Appenzell Innerrhoden

The smallest of Switzerland’s 26 cantons, Appenzell Innerrhoden, is known for its numerous local weather phenomena. In addition to the well-known rotor wind “Lasier” in the Schwendi Valley, it shares the records for rain, snow, and storms on its local mountain, the Säntis, with the cantons of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and St. Gallen. The destination of the hike was the cold pool Sämtisersee, which is easily accessible all year round.

Already at the starting point in Brülisau, participants received the first fascinating meteorological insights: the site records more Föhn wind hours per year than the legendary Altdorf in the canton of Uri, with peak wind speeds of 185 km/h measured on December 25, 2023!

After a few hundred meters, the group passed the manual precipitation measurement station (NIME), where Stephan Vogt from MeteoSwiss provided information about the station and the measurement network. Interestingly, the long-term average precipitation (1991–2020) has decreased to 1,692 mm, compared with the older reference period (1961–1990).

During the steep ascent through the Brüeltobel gorge, the stop at the Hexenwäldli was especially appreciated: the noticeably stunted growth of spruce trees there indicates a cooled scree slope, as confirmed by soil temperature measurements.

After lunch at Restaurant Plattenbödeli, the group continued with a short descent to the Sämtisersee. At a pleasant 10°C, Stephan gave a detailed presentation on the site, measurement technology, and data from the station, which has been operating since autumn 2016. The coldest temperature recorded was –33.4°C in January 2017, and values as low as –40°C are theoretically possible. However, this cold pool at 1,214 meters above sea level is very sensitive to Föhn winds — on June 23, 2017, it even came close to a tropical night (minimum temperature above 20°C)!

The return route led via the mountain inn Ruhesitz, and all ten participants arrived back in Brülisau safe and dry.