Swiss glaciers lost 5% of their ice in 2026 due to a record heatwave and insufficient snowfall. The retreat is part of a five-year trend that has seen nearly 20% of ice lost, raising concerns about water supplies and the long-term survival of Europe's glaciers.
The loss followed a summer of extreme heat and dry conditions, with the summer half-year being the hottest and driest since 1864. Scientists note that the melting is accelerating, with some glaciers collapsing from within due to internal streams that excavate caverns.
The retreat has transformed mountainous regions into rock deserts, with some glaciers reduced to scattered blocks of old ice. The loss of ice is threatening water supplies but also contributing to temporary relief from summer water shortages. Experts warn of continued decline as climate change accelerizes.
The rate of ice loss has not yet reached the record highs of 2022, which were influenced by Saharan dust that accelerated melting. However, the current trend highlights the urgent need for climate action to mitigate further glacier retreat.