Swiss glaciers lose 5% mass in 2026, second-largest retreat on record

Swiss glaciers lost roughly 5% of their ice mass in 2026, the second-largest annual retreat since measurements began, driven by June heat that melted snow cover early. The loss continues a multi-year trend of accelerated glacier decline in the Alps, with implications for regional water supply and hydropower. The exact contribution of this year's heat versus long-term warming remains uncertain.