An intense heatwave, which is expected to last for some time, is on its way to the Alps. Following a winter and spring with little snow, the glaciers are unprepared for the hot spell.

For the time being, it’s set to be sweltering in the Alpine valleys. Even at higher altitudes, the coming days will be extremely warm. The freezing level will rise to over 4,500 metres, with frost now only found on the highest peaks.

For the Alpine glaciers, the heat is proving to be a real test. At around 3,000 m, temperatures are even reaching double figures. Many glacier tongues extend down to 2,000 m, where temperatures can even reach almost 20 °C.

Exacerbating the problem is that the glaciers have very little protection this year. Across the Alps as a whole, there is only around half as much snow at higher altitudes compared to the long-term average. Below 2,500 to 3,000 m, many glacier tongues are already devoid of snow.

Once the protective blanket of snow has disappeared, the glacier ice is directly exposed to the sun and heat. On a warm summer’s day, up to 10 cm of ice can be lost.

Depending on how long the heatwave lasts, by the end of June only the highest parts of the glaciers may still be covered in snow.