Freezing point climbs to a record high over the Swiss Alps

Freezing point in the Swiss Alps has climbed to a new high and broken a 27-year-old record, meteorologists have revealed, as record heatwaves continue to rage across Europe.

A weather balloon had to rise to 17,008 feet (5,184 metres) above the mountain range to hit 0°C, experts said.

That was nearly 230ft (70m) higher than the previous Swiss record of 16,788ft (5,117m), which was measured on July 20, 1995, and 1,230ft (375m) above the summit of Europe’s highest peak, Mont Blanc in the French Alps.

French meteorologists also measured 0°C above16,400ft (5,000m) on Sunday over Bordeaux in the west, before the warm air moved east towards the Alps. 

It is extremely rare for the freezing point to be measured above 16,400ft (5,000m) in Europe.  

A weather balloon had to rise to 17,008 feet above the mountain range to hit 0°C. Insulating foam is pictured covering part of the Rhône Glacier in the Swiss Alps to prevent it from melting

To date, the only other time it has surpassed this height in the Swiss Alps was in 1995.

This zero degree limit is measured with the help of weather balloons that are launched twice a day from nearby Payerne. 

Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss said this month that rising temperatures were causing freshwater glaciers to melt faster than ever.

‘Glaciers in the Alps are so completely off from what we’ve seen before. I’m really alarmed by the situation,’ he tweeted. 

‘The measurements collected at Griesgletscher today show that even with respect to the previous record in 2003 we’re one month ahead with melting. 

‘And no relief in sight.’

Some animal and plant species rely heavily on the cold conditions that the glaciers provide and are migrating to higher altitudes to find suitable habitat. 

This is putting severe strain on the ecosystems as more animals and more species are living in an ever-shrinking region.

Meanwhile, up in the Alps the border between Switzerland and Italy has shifted due to a melting glacier, putting the location of an Italian mountain lodge in dispute. 

The Theodul Glacier’s retreat means the borderline has crept towards the Rifugio Guide del Cervino, a refuge for visitors near the 11,417ft (3,480m) Testa Grigia peak —and it is gradually sweeping underneath the building.

Last month, a new study warned that the number of days with snow cover in the Alps will halve without faster action to stop climate change.

Researchers said southern Alpine countries, including parts of France, Italy, and Slovenia, would be especially affected without emissions cuts.

It is extremely rare for the freezing point to be measured above 16,400ft (5,000m) in Europe. Pictured is Steisee, Canton of Berne in the Swiss Alps

Swiss glaciologist Matthias Huss said this month that rising temperatures were causing freshwater glaciers to melt faster than ever

For example, if the planet warms by 7.2-9°F (4-5°C), Slovenia could lose 54 days of snow per year – 68 per cent – at an elevation of 4,920ft (1,500m), while France will lose 116 days of snow at 11,480ft (3,500m), or 34 per cent of snow days. 

But if the Paris Agreement emissions targets were met this would save 80 per cent of the current days with snow cover, the experts said.

They added that the loss of snow would impact the skiing industry, nature, and downstream water use, and also itself cause further warming.

Scientists say the planet has heated 2.16°F (1.2°C) so far due to human activity, and it will take rapid and concerted action to meet the Paris Agreement target of staying ‘well below’ 3.6°F (2°C).