Swiss glaciers lost 5% of their total mass in 2026, according to a report released on October 1st by the Swiss Commission for the Observation of the Cryosphere. This data comes from the Glaciological Survey Network, which monitors changes in glaciers and ice masses across the country. Over the past five years, nearly 20% of the volume of Switzerland’s glaciers has melted, signaling a continued decline in these natural features. The report points to the winter of 2025/2026 as one of the ten weakest in terms of snowfall in recorded history, followed by an exceptionally hot and dry summer that accelerated ice melting. From May to September, each month was marked by drought and at least one heatwave, with snow disappearing even at altitudes as high as 3,500 meters by September. The months of June to August 2026 were the hottest on record in Switzerland since measurements began in 1864. This surpassed the previous record set during the 2003 heatwave, which had already been a significant event for the region. The extreme heat contributed to what glaciologists are calling a "catastrophic" year for Swiss glaciers, which experienced their second-worst annual balance after 2022. The report highlights the severity of the situation, with glaciers losing ice at an alarming rate. Glaciologist Matthias Huss, head of the Swiss glaciological measurement network (Glamos), described the impact on specific glaciers. The Scex Rouge glacier, located at nearly 3,000 meters above sea level, has been significantly reduced. Huss noted that a four-meter aluminum pole installed in the middle of the glacier barely protruded from the surface in July, but now protrudes more than three meters, indicating substantial ice loss. This change demonstrates the rapid melting of the glacier and the loss of ice mass over a short period. Huss warned that under such extreme conditions, alpine glaciers have no chance of long-term survival. He explained that the snow that typically protects glaciers had already partially melted by June and completely disappeared by September, even at 3,500 meters altitude. This loss of protective snow cover accelerates melting and further reduces the glaciers’ ability to recover, highlighting the urgent need for climate action to mitigate these effects.