Climate change puts the Alps in danger: snow turns to rain!

Climate change puts the Alps in danger: snow turns to rain!

Climate change is having profound effects on the mountains in Austria, Germany and Switzerland, as a current expert forum shows. 14 climate and sports research institutions from the three countries are involved in this forum. The average warming from pre-industrial times to the end of 2024 is 3.1 degrees Celsius in Austria, 2.5 degrees Celsius in Germany and 2.9 degrees Celsius in Switzerland. The forecasts indicate that the annual mean temperature in the DACH region will rise by at least another two degrees by the end of the century, regardless of the climate protection measures taken. This development has a direct impact on the winter season and the water balance conditions in the Alps.

The current changes are leading to a decline in the natural snow cover at low and medium altitudes, up to around 1,500 meters above sea level. At these altitudes, an increase in precipitation in the form of rain instead of snow can be expected. There are robust signals for more intense precipitation, but these are often also characterized by high natural variability. This can affect the meteorological conditions for technical snow production, as fewer snowmaking times and higher water and energy requirements are expected. Particularly in summer, increasing dryness and more intense heavy showers can be observed, which can increase Alpine natural hazards such as mudslides and landslides.

Impact on nature and sporting activities

Climate change is exposing the fragile ecosystems of the Alps and is having a significant impact on local biodiversity. A recent report from bund-naturschutz.de highlights that average temperatures in the mountains are rising twice as fast as the global average. This not only affects growing seasons and water balance, but also has far-reaching consequences for rivers and seas across Europe.

The changes are particularly pronounced in glaciers. For example, the glaciers of the Schwarzmilzferner in the Allgäu Alps and the Schneeferner glacier on the Zugspitze have shown significant melting in recent decades. Larger amounts of snow combined with winter warm spells also increase the risk of wet snow avalanches. The expert report points out that softened soils, often caused by intensive alpine farming, can lead to increased mudslides. This poses a danger not only to nature, but also to infrastructure such as roads and buildings.

Against this background, the sports and tourism industry appeals to all stakeholders to intensify their efforts for sustainability, climate protection and strengthening resilience. In addition, further research into precipitation development is required in order to be able to respond better to the challenges of climate change.

Research results and recommendations

The impact of climate change on mass movements in the mountains was analyzed in a comprehensive study coordinated by Samuel Weber and Mylène Jacquemart. This research project is part of the WSL research program CCAMM and has evaluated over 300 scientific papers from the last three decades. The results show significant processes such as rockfalls, landslides, debris flows as well as ice and snow avalanches, which are likely to increase in view of climatic changes.

In summary, climate change not only affects the mountain climate, but also threatens the entire alpine flora and fauna. Given rising temperatures and the associated risks, it is crucial that authorities and societies develop strategies to minimize the negative impacts while protecting natural resources.