Another Heatwave Hits the Alps
12th August 2025
Last modified on August 15th, 2025
The freezing level is now at over 4,000m in parts of the Alps. It is hitting the glaciers hard, but the cooler temperatures at altitude are attracting a new breed of tourists seeking an escape from the heat. UPDATED
There has already been some high temperatures in the Alps this summer.
The freezing level in the Alps rose to well over 4,000m at the end of June/beginning of July as Europe was hit by a heatwave.
It was the first time that June had seen the entire Alpine range above 0C (32F).
The weather station at Colle Major (4,750m) on Mt Blanc recorded a maximum of +3.7°C on Saturday June 28th.
In Switzerland the government declared the second-highest danger level for large parts of the country.
Now we are back to a similar situation as another heatwave hits.
The some of the highest temperatures are in France, with the western Alps and Pyrenees affected.
It was a historic day across France today. At least 52 new weather station all-time high temperature records were set across the country, with more than 175 stations reporting 40 °C or more.
Peak temperatures reached up to +44 °C in Spain and Albania, and +43 °C in Portugal. pic.twitter.com/fRQyBq4LMa— severe-weather.EU (@severeweatherEU) August 11, 2025
The heat dome over a large parts of Europe will last into the second half of August
The heat dome works like a lid on a pot.
The extensive dome traps warm air at all levels underneath, with layers sinking toward the ground.
Therefore, the air mass becomes warm at the lowest elevations and extremely hot near the surface.
Once again the heatwave is hitting the summer glacier ski areas hard, but three areas remain open:
- Zermatt/Cervinia (Switzerland/Italy)
- Saas-Fee (Switzerland)
- Passo Stelvio (Italy)
Some members of the Swiss Alpine Ski Team are currently training in Saas-Fee:
Others are in Zermatt.
The Warren Smith Ski Academy is currently running a ski instructor course in Cervinia using the glacier it shares with Zermatt.
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Hintertux in Austria is normally open year-round for skiing and snowboarding but the snow has deteriorated and the glacier ski area is closed until September.
In Norway Galdhøpiggen is open and members of the national team have been training on its slopes in preparation for next season.
The heatwave is affecting glaciers across the Alps after a cool July where snow fell at altitude.
Getting used to this image: #glaciers almost completely naked – unprotected by the white snow – in August…
While July was good for glaciers after record-melt in June, the new heat wave again results in major ice loss@glamos_ch @VAW_glaciology pic.twitter.com/MUcRwOjWkv— Matthias Huss (@matthias_huss) August 11, 2025
NBC News’ Molly Hunter traveled to the Morteratsch glacier high in the Swiss Alps to see first hand how the ice is melting at an alarming rate.
The decline is creating risk and an uncertain future for villages through the region.
However with sky high temperatures in Europe the cooler temperatures offered by the mountains, especially at night, are becoming increasingly attractive to tourists.
There is also growing interest in the host of summer activities now on offer in the mountains:
Biking in Verbier in the summer. Image © PlanetSKI
St Johann in early summer. Image © PlanetSKI
Summer in Austria. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI
Rafting in the French Alps. Image c/o PlanetSKI
Les2Alpes in the summer. Image © Claire McAteer/PlanetSKI
Summer in Austria. Image © Simon Miller/PlanetSKI
Related Articles:
- Head to the mountains to keep cool in the summer
- Cool off in Austria this summer
- PlanetSKI visits Innsbruck in the summer
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