ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – In Switzerland, glaciers experienced a 5.5% reduction in ice volume during 2026, marking the country’s second-largest annual percentage decrease ever documented. The decline followed a winter characterized by minimal snowfall and a summer dominated by multiple heatwaves. Glacier Monitoring Switzerland, known as GLAMOS, assessed the ice losses across the Swiss Alps during the 2026 monitoring season. The Swiss Academy of Sciences reported that nearly 20% of the nation’s glacier volume has vanished over the past five years.
Switzerland’s winter from 2025 to 2026 was among the ten least snowy since systematic measurement efforts began. Hot, dry conditions persisted from May through September, intensifying stress on exposed glacier surfaces. The freezing level surpassed 4,000 metres on 76 days—more than double the average for the warm season. By September, researchers observed no remaining snow at elevations around 3,500 metres in the monitored zones.
During this period, average glacier thickness decreased by approximately 2.5 to 4 metres. Some glacier tongues saw losses of up to 10 metres of ice. Major glaciers such as Allalin, Clariden, Great Aletsch, and Rhône recorded their most significant melt since records began. Only 2022 experienced a larger national percentage loss within Switzerland’s long-term glacier data. The widespread retreat impacted both high-altitude ice and lower sections across the Alps.
Retreat of smaller glaciers as Alpine ice diminishes
Several smaller glaciers completely disappeared during the 2026 season, including Bella Tola in Valais and Griessfirn in Glarus. Their disappearance underscores a broader trend of ongoing ice reduction across Switzerland’s Alpine terrain. National measurements reveal that glacier volume has decreased by nearly 20% since 2021. The recent decline followed several years of limited snow accumulation and intensified summer melting. Researchers documented extensive thinning across both large glaciers and smaller ice bodies.
The melting process released roughly 2.2 trillion litres of water between July and September. This volume exceeded four times the annual drinking-water needs of Swiss households. The meltwater flowed into Alpine rivers and water systems amid widespread summer drought conditions. The figures highlight the enormous amount of ice transferred into Switzerland’s water cycle within just three months. Elevated summer temperatures accelerated the seasonal ice loss at many monitored sites.
2026’s melt less severe than 2022, but snow cover played a role
Although the ice loss in 2026 was significant, it remained below the record set in 2022, when glacier conditions were even more extreme. One factor differentiating the two years was the snow cover at the onset of summer, with many glaciers entering the melt season with slightly more snow in 2026 than in 2022. Additionally, less Saharan dust settled on the snow in 2026, leading to cleaner snow that reflects more sunlight, whereas dust-covered surfaces absorb more solar energy.
Despite these differences, Switzerland reported notable glacier losses across both high-altitude and lower ice tongues in 2026. Field surveys, snow measurements, and mass-balance observations confirmed widespread ice reduction through September’s end. The findings revealed extensive ice loss, the disappearance of smaller glaciers, and substantial thinning of major glaciers throughout the country. These results place 2026 among the most severe years on record for Swiss glacier monitoring. The latest data contribute to the ongoing trend of sharp contraction within the glacier system in recent years.