A study led by the University of Cambridge revealed that the snow cover in the mountains of Greece decreased by 58% between 1984 and 2025, with a marked acceleration since the beginning of the 21st century. The research used satellite images from NASA and ESA, climate data, and terrain models, complemented with artificial intelligence techniques to overcome the limitations of cloudiness and shadows.
The developed tool, called snowMapper, generates daily maps of snow cover with a resolution of 100 meters and allowed the analysis of ten mountainous areas of the country over four decades.
Worrisome Results
The data shows that the snow season starts later and ends earlier than it did 40 years ago. The acceleration of melting coincides with the sustained increase in temperatures in the Mediterranean region, one of the most vulnerable to climate change.
The research involved scientists from the British Antarctic Survey, the National Observatory of Athens, and the Hellenic Mountain Observatory, with funding from national and international foundations and organizations.
Impact on Water and Agriculture
The accumulated snow in the Greek mountains functions as a natural water reservoir, releasing it gradually in spring and summer. Its reduction directly affects:
- Drinking water supply in rural communities with limited infrastructure.
- Agricultural irrigation, forcing greater reliance on artificial systems and increasing pressure on aquifers.
- Production costs, which increase due to the need for new water sources.
Small watersheds and winter temperatures near freezing make Greece especially vulnerable: each additional degree of temperature significantly impacts water availability.
Ecological Consequences
Accelerated melting alters mountain ecosystems:
- Modifies habitats of species adapted to seasonal snow.
- Reduces soil moisture in spring, affecting high-altitude vegetation.
- Increases the risk of forest fires during drier summers.
The loss of snow impacts the entire food chain, from plants to animals that depend on these habitats.
Greece and Mediterranean Climate Change
The study adds to the evidence that the Mediterranean is warming faster than the global average. Greece faces a combination of:
- More frequent droughts.
- More intense heatwaves.
- Sustained reduction of precipitation in the form of snow.
Researchers warn that if the trend continues, the consequences on the country’s water and food security will intensify in the coming decades.
The 58% reduction in snow in Greece is a clear indicator of the impact of climate change in the region. Accelerated melting threatens water supply, agriculture, and ecosystems, endangering the resilience of rural communities and the environmental stability of the Mediterranean country.
