Switzerland experiences its warmest winter in 150 years

Switzerland has been disappointing visitors who wished to enjoy its snowy Alpine mountain range. The country has experienced its warmest December in 150 years, meteorologists have said.

Switzerland, considered to be the birthing ground of winter tourism, began keeping temperature records 150 years ago. The year-end temperature that has been recorded for 2015 is 3.4C above the historical average for December.

"It's the warmest December in our recorded measurements dating back to 1864 – clearly," climatologist Stephan Bader at the Federal Office of Meteorology and Climatology (MeteoSwiss) said in a statement, Reuters reported. "There's no doubt about it," he said, adding that warm temperatures are especially evident at higher altitudes.

A warmer winter has resulted in clear skies, dry ground and slopes bereft of snow, leaving avid skiers disappointed. Ski resorts are already facing losses with Switzerland's strong currency putting off foreign tourists.

Globally, 2015 is likely be the warmest year on record, according to the World Meteorological Organization. It said in November that a combination of a strong El Nino and human-induced global warming are to be blamed for the situation. The overall warming impact of El Nino is expected to continue in 2016 too, it warned.