Snow cover on Greek mountains has more than halved in four decades, study finds

Snow cover on Greek mountains has fallen by about 58% over the past four decades, according to a Cambridge-led study published on April 30 in The Cryosphere.

The research looked at ten major Greek mountain massifs and found that the decline has accelerated since the turn of the century. It also says the snow season is starting later and ending sooner.

Researchers said the main driver is warming, which is shifting some precipitation from snow to rain. That matters in Greece because mountain snow helps feed rivers, reservoirs and other water supplies later in the year.

The findings were highlighted in a University of Cambridge news release on Thursday and were also reported by EurekAlert, Phys.org and Euronews.

The study adds to a long-running concern in southern Europe, where rising temperatures are changing how much snow accumulates in the mountains and how long it lasts.

The broader implication is not just less snow in winter, but less stored water heading into the warmer months.