Swiss glaciers began to melt faster amid intense heat in Europe

Snow and ice on Swiss glaciers are melting at an increasing rate amid intense heat in Europe. This was reported on June 27 by The Guardian newspaper.

It is expected that the snow and ice accumulated over the last winter on the Swiss glaciers will melt by June 29.

"We are witnessing a tremendous melting of ice and snow across the Alps. <...> The more days with very high temperatures, regardless of whether it is 35 degrees Celsius or 40 degrees Celsius, the worse it affects the glaciers," said Mathias Huss, head of Glamos.

According to the publication, a significant part of the water flowing into the Rhine and Rhone, the two largest rivers in Europe, originates from Alpine glaciers. According to Huss, in 2026, the amount of snow replenishing the surface of glaciers was 25% less than in 2010-2020. Between 2000 and 2024, the volume of Swiss glaciers decreased by 38%.

Europe is suffering from the worst heat wave in history. What the media is writing

Bloomberg reported on June 16 that an abnormal heat wave in France would lead to "tropical nights" and more frequent use of air conditioners, which would cause electricity prices to rise. Later, on June 21, the Associated Press reported on restrictions on alcohol consumption in public places in those French departments where a "red" danger level has been declared due to extreme heat. In addition, over the past few days, 40 people have drowned in the country while swimming in the wrong places — they were trying to escape from the abnormal weather.