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Europe’s iconic mountain peaks could be losing their snowy white caps and it is possible that some of the world’s most popular ski destinations soon become a relic of the past. A recent study sheds light on these pressing questions, delving into long-term trends in snowfall patterns with an unprecedented level of detail. The findings reveal a stark reality: Over the past century, snowfall in the northern Alps and on the southwestern slopes of the range – spanning Austria, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, France and Switzerland – has decreased by 23% and nearly 50%, respectively.
On average, snowfall across the Alps declined by 34% between 1920 and 2020, according to research conducted by Eurac Research, a private research center based in Bolzano, South Tyrol, Italy. The study, published in the International Journal of Climatology, provides crucial insights into the spatial and temporal variability of these changes. Glaciers in Switzerland are melting at a rapid rate ( Video: Reuters ) Researchers analyzed factors including elevation, location and climate parameters such as temperature and overall precipitation.
Data was collected from 46 sites across the Alps at varying altitudes, relying on both modern weather monitoring stations and historical handwritten records documenting snowfall depths in centimeters. Meteorologists and environmental scientists from Eurac Research collaborated with researchers from Italy’s University of Trento to compile, analyze and interpret the data. Their work paints a comprehensive picture of snowfall trends across the Alps over the last century.
“There’s a marked negative trend in fresh snowfall across the Alps, with an overall decline of about 34% — a trend that has become increasingly pronounced since 1980,” said Michaele Bötzli, an environmental meteorologist with Eurac Research and one of the study's authors. “This timing is no coincidence, as it aligns closely with a sharp rise in temperatures . The most severe declines are observed at elevations below 2,000 meters in southern regions such as Italy, Slovenia and parts of the Austrian Alps.
” In the northern Alps, including Switzerland, the study highlighted the critical role of altitude and location in determining snowfall. While winter precipitation has increased in some areas, warmer temperatures have increasingly caused snow to fall as rain at lower altitudes. However, at higher elevations, snowfall levels have remained relatively stable, thanks to colder temperatures.
That said, even at high altitudes in the southwestern and southeastern Alps, rising temperatures have led to more frequent rain events. 3 View gallery ( Photo: Laurent Coust/ SOPA Images, Reuters ) Earlier studies have warned that climate change could leave several ski resorts worldwide snowless by the end of the century. This has already become a reality on the slopes of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, which recently experienced its longest snowless stretch in 130 years.
3 View gallery ( Photo: Matthias Schrader, AP ) Snow’s importance extends beyond winter sports. It plays a crucial role in maintaining alpine ecosystems and protecting mountain communities from flooding. When precipitation falls as rain instead of snow, it can quickly run off steep mountain valleys, exacerbating erosion and triggering severe floods.
Get the Ynetnews app on your smartphone: Google Play : https://bit.ly/4eJ37pE | Apple App Store : https://bit.ly/3ZL7iNv “Snow acts as a vital resource for feeding glaciers and mountain streams,” Bötzli explained.
“Its slow springtime melt replenishes water reservoirs gradually. The decline in snowfall impacts not only winter sports but also numerous activities and processes that depend on this vital resource. This must be factored into water management policies for the Alpine region, especially as climate change continues to take its toll.
” Bötzli also emphasized the reflective properties of snow. “Without the white snow layer, less sunlight is reflected back into space, further contributing to rising temperatures,” he concluded. >.
