Matterhorn summit appears snow-free amid extreme Alpine heat

The Matterhorn, one of the most iconic peaks in the Alps, is currently appearing completely snow-free, a rare and concerning sight for late September. Images shared on social media from Zermatt show the 4,478-meter summit as bare rock, highlighting the impact of an exceptionally hot and dry period in Europe.

MeteoSwiss reports that the period from April to September has been the warmest and driest in Switzerland in 160 years. This prolonged heat and lack of precipitation have significantly affected Alpine glaciers and water levels, with the Rhine river also reaching record lows.

Experts and mountain guides warn that the lack of snow and melting ice within rock crevices increase the risk of rockfalls and landslides, making climbing dangerous. Mountain guides in Zermatt had already issued warnings regarding tours earlier this summer. Meteorologists view this extreme lack of snow as a clear signal of advancing climate change affecting the stability of mountain slopes.