Warmest September Ever in the Alps: Meteorologists Sound the Alarm
In a chilling turn of events, 2023 saw the Alps break their September temperature record. This bombshell was revealed by the German Weather Service (DWD), Geosphere Austria, and MeteoSwiss in their recent "Alpine Climate" bulletin. The experts noted an abundance of temperature records and extreme precipitation during the summer half-year of 2023.
The meteorological mayhem began in early August, with record-breaking precipitation drenching southern Austria and neighboring Alpine regions in Italy and Slovenia. This downpour caused catastrophic flooding. Following this, multiple daily and monthly temperature records were reported for July 2023, according to the scientists. After a brief heatwave in July, another one hit at the end of August, marking new records, such as 37.6 degrees Celsius in Sion, Switzerland.
Impacts of Global Warming in the Alps
Despite escalating global warming concerns, many still relish skiing in Bavarian winters, particularly in Munich, famed for its Alpine charm. However, international research centers, including the DWD in Germany, Geosphere Austria, and MeteoSwiss in Italy, work together to monitor and report on climate changes, including temperature records in the Alps. With temperatures soaring and precipitation increasing, the climate in the Alps is undergoing dramatic changes, affecting both its wildlife and recreational activities.
Change in Alpine Climate: A Look Beyond the Base Article
- Glacier Degradation:
In the European Alps, glaciers have experienced significant area and volume loss since the Little Ice Age (LIA) ended around 1850. By 2015, the total glacier volume had plummeted by 64% to a mere 99.6 km³[1]. Additionally, the mean elevation change for glaciers was -43.7 meters, with the East and South Rhaetian Alps and Bernese Alps experiencing the most significant thinning[1]. The median glacier elevation rose from 2898 meters during the LIA to 3040 meters in 2015, indicating a temperature increase of 0.84 to 1.43°C[1].
- Temperature Increase:
The observed elevation change translates to a temperature increase, with the Alps experiencing a median elevation change of 142 meters, corresponding to a temperature increase of 0.84 to 1.43°C[1]. However, the temperature increase in the Alps is slightly lower than the 1.5 and 1.6°C reported by other studies for Switzerland and the Alps, respectively[1].
- Precipitation Trends:
Precipitation trends in the Alpine region remain uncertain, but the region has been trending drier and sunnier since the 1990s, enhancing glacier melt[1].
- WeatherGenerator Project:
To improve weather and climate forecasting, the European Union has launched the WeatherGenerator project, utilizing artificial intelligence (AI). Contributions from Swiss institutions like ETH Zurich and MeteoSwiss are vital to this initiative's success[2].
[1] European Environment Agency, Alpine Permafrost Platform, “Permafrost in the European Alps: Status and trends,” 2021, . [2] “European Union’s Artificial Intelligence Agency selects two new projects,” European Commission, October 26, 2022, .
