Swiss Weather Icon Thomas Bucheli Retires After 30 Years

Thomas Bucheli, the most recognizable face of SRF Meteo, is stepping down after three decades of presenting the weather on Swiss television. Since 1992, Bucheli has been a near-daily fixture, drawing in nearly 600,000 viewers with a market share exceeding 50 percent. He has transformed weather reporting into an engaging spectacle, although he maintains that was never his explicit intention.

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The problem is that most people can't read their weather apps properly.

As the last remaining member of the original team, Bucheli is described as a weather enthusiast who rarely took full vacations. He will continue his work until August 26, extending his tenure beyond his initial retirement at the end of May. His future plans include accompanying exclusive travel expeditions, such as one to Spitsbergen, and instructing pilots in meteorology for Swiss International Air Lines.

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We don't falsify our weather maps for political reasons.

Reflecting on the recent heatwave, Bucheli admitted it makes him aggressive. He described an instance where he snapped at a neighbor, exclaiming "I'm crazy!" due to the heat. His personal comfort zone lies in cooler temperatures, around 18 degrees Celsius, and he prefers shorter days, identifying as a "night owl."

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Very.

Bucheli acknowledged the scientific link between heat and aggression but expressed surprise at people who seem to enjoy extreme heat. He also shared his discomfort with the current weather conditions, noting not only the heat but also the severe drought impacting the landscape and agriculture. While acknowledging weather variability, he sees these extreme events aligning with climate change scenarios, though he notes a disconnect between meteorologists' focus on weather patterns and climate research's broader predictions.

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I'm crazy!