ZURICH, SWITZERLAND / RankWire.AI / – In 2026, Switzerland’s glaciers experienced a reduction of 5.5% in their overall ice volume, marking the second-largest percentage decrease documented so far. This significant loss followed a winter characterized by unusually scarce snowfall and a summer dominated by intense heat. The organization responsible for tracking glacier changes across the Swiss Alps, Glacier Monitoring Switzerland, known as GLAMOS, recorded these developments. The Swiss Academy of Sciences also confirmed the national findings. Over the past five years, nearly 20% of Switzerland’s glacier volume has vanished.
The winter period from 2025 to 2026 ranks among the ten least snowy winters in Switzerland since measurements began. Persistent hot and dry conditions extended from May through September. During the warm season, the freezing level surpassed 4,000 metres on 76 days—more than double the average—setting a Swiss record. By September, researchers observed no remaining snow at elevations around 3,500 metres, exposing glacier ice throughout high Alpine regions.
On average, glacier thickness decreased by between 2.5 and 4 metres during the 2026 measurement window. Some glacier tongues experienced losses of up to 10 metres of ice. Several major glaciers, including the Allalin, Clariden, Great Aletsch, and Rhône glaciers, recorded their highest melt since measurements commenced. These losses positioned 2026 just behind 2022, which remains the most severe year for glacier melt in Switzerland’s record.
Decline of Smaller Swiss Glaciers Accelerates as Ice Losses Grow
During the recent monitoring cycle, several smaller glaciers in Switzerland vanished entirely, such as Bella Tola in Valais and Griessfirn in Glarus. Their disappearance reflects a broader long-term downward trend affecting the country’s Alpine ice fields. Data indicates that glacier volume has declined by nearly one-fifth since 2021. This cumulative loss coincides with repeated years of low snowfall and extensive summer melting across much of the Swiss Alps.
The melting process also contributed substantial volumes of water during the dry summer months. Between July and September, glaciers released about 2.2 trillion litres of water—more than four times the annual drinking-water needs of all Swiss households. This meltwater fed into Alpine rivers and other water systems during an extended period of summer drought. The figures highlight the significant transfer of stored glacier ice into Switzerland’s water cycle within just three months of 2026.
Summer Heat and Reduced Snowfall Influenced 2026 Melting Patterns
Although the glacier melt in 2026 did not reach the record levels seen in 2022, the conditions that shaped the season played a key role in the outcomes. Many glaciers started the summer with marginally more snow than in 2022. Additionally, less Saharan dust settled on the snow this year, which is noteworthy because cleaner snow reflects more sunlight, whereas dust-darkened surfaces absorb more solar energy, potentially increasing melting when other factors are similar.
Despite these differences, the year 2026 recorded remarkable ice losses at both high elevations and lower glacier tongues. The season contributed to another year of significant decline in Switzerland’s extensive glacier history. Comprehensive field measurements, snow surveys, and glacier mass-balance observations documented widespread ice loss, the disappearance of smaller glaciers, and notable reductions in glacier thickness across the country through September. These findings confirm 2026 as one of the most severe years for glacier melt in Switzerland’s recorded history.