Overview of Swiss Glacier Conditions in 2026
In 2026, glaciers across Switzerland lost more than 5% of their total ice volume. This significant decline was driven by a winter with minimal snowfall, an extended heatwave, and persistently dry weather. On average, glacier thickness decreased by 2.5 to 4 meters, with some areas experiencing reductions as deep as 10 meters. The most dramatic melting was recorded on the Rhone, Aletsch, and Clariden glaciers.
The Swiss Glacier Monitoring Network (GLAMOS), in collaboration with ETH Zurich and the universities of Fribourg and Zurich, conducted extensive observations. Their findings were included in the annual report by the Swiss Academy of Sciences. Notably, the winter of 2025-2026 ranked among the ten snow-poorest winters in Switzerland since records began, resulting in very little snow cover on glaciers at the start of summer.
The Impact of Climate Change
During the summer months, from May to September, Switzerland experienced prolonged periods of hot and dry weather. A striking indicator of this trend was the freezing line, which remained above 4,000 meters elevation for 76 days—more than double the long-term average and the highest recorded in Swiss history. At the Rhone Glacier, ice retreat reached altitudes not seen since measurements started before 2022.
Furthermore, the Bella Tola glacier in the canton of Valais and the Griessfirn glacier in the canton of Glarus have completely vanished and are considered lost permanently. Over the past five years, Switzerland has lost nearly 20% of its remaining glacier ice volume. Between July and September alone, approximately 2.2 trillion liters of meltwater flowed from Swiss glaciers—over four times the annual household drinking water consumption in the country. However, ice regeneration continues at a much slower pace than melting.
This situation highlights the severe consequences of climate change for Switzerland's mountainous regions, where glaciers play a vital role in water supply. Source: Swiss Academy of Sciences
Recent developments emphasize the urgent need for climate action and adaptive strategies. Switzerland, equipped with one of the world’s most advanced glacier monitoring systems, is uniquely positioned to lead global efforts in studying and mitigating the effects of these environmental shifts.