Swiss glaciers lose over 5% of ice volume in 2026

The Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network and the Swiss Commission for Cryosphere Observation of the Swiss Academy of Sciences said the average thickness of individual glaciers fell by between 2.5 and 4 meters (8.2 and 13.1 feet), while some glacier tongues lost as much as 10 meters (nearly 33 ft) over the summer.

In the past five years alone, Switzerland's total glacier volume has declined by almost 20%, according to the study.

Winter 2025-26 ranked "among the 10 least snowy" since measurements began, while every month from May through September brought dry conditions and at least one heat wave.

The freezing level remained above 4,000 meters on a record 76 days, more than twice the average. The study stressed that by September, no snow had remained, even at elevations of 3,500 meters (11,483 ft).

Several small glaciers have already disappeared during the heat wave in June, including the Bella Tola Glacier and Griessfiren/Plattalvafirn.

Between July and September, glaciers lost around 2.2 trillion liters of water, more than four times the annual drinking water consumption of all Swiss households.

Researchers said meltwater is still easing summer water shortages, but that contribution is diminishing as Switzerland's ice-covered area continues to shrink.