Thu Feb 20 08:57:43 UTC 2025: ## Everest’s Snow Cover Retreats 150 Meters Amidst Warming Climate
**Kathmandu, Nepal** – A new study analyzing NASA satellite imagery reveals a significant retreat of snow cover on Mount Everest. Researchers have observed a 150-meter rise in the snow line between December 2024 and January 2025, indicating a concerning lack of snow accumulation during the 2024-2025 winter season.
Glaciologist Mauri Pelto of Nichols College, US, reported in a recent blog post that warmer and drier conditions, consistent across several recent winters, are driving the reduced snow cover and increased snow line. This trend, he explains, is a clear indicator of a warming climate.
The data shows that while some small snowfall events occurred early in both winters, the snow failed to persist, leading to continued glacial retreat even at altitudes above 6,000 meters. Pelto attributes much of the snow loss to sublimation – the direct evaporation of ice – with daily losses of up to 2.5 millimeters. This process significantly contributes to the overall mass loss of glaciers.
Nepal experienced exceptionally dry conditions in December 2024, with only 20-25% of normal snowfall in some areas and above-average temperatures. This led to severe drought in several provinces. January 2025 continued this trend, maintaining consistently warm conditions and a high, rising snow line. The average snow line on January 28, 2025, reached 6,100 meters – 150 meters higher than on December 11, 2024.
Unlike previous years where extreme heat waves contributed to high snow lines, this year’s rise is attributed to above-normal temperatures coupled with a severe lack of precipitation, with less than 25 millimeters of precipitation recorded at Everest Base Camp between January 1 and March 31, 2024. The findings underscore the impact of climate change on even the highest peaks in the world and raise serious concerns about the long-term health of Himalayan glaciers.
First Piper 