Scientists monitoring glaciers around Mount Everest have discovered a concerning shift: the snow line has moved 490 feet higher in just two months, due to a process called sublimation. This phenomenon, unlike melting, turns snow directly into water vapor through sun and dry air, exacerbating snow loss on the mountain.

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• Snow line on Mount Everest shifted 490 feet higher between December 11, 2024, and January 28, 2025.
• Sublimation, where snow turns directly into water vapor, is the cause, not melting.
• Sublimation is driven by strong winds, low humidity, and unusually warm temperatures.
• Satellite imagery from NASA’s Landsat 9 confirmed the higher snow line on January 20, 2025.
• Winter snow is settling at higher altitudes, signaling a shift in snow distribution.
• Scientists warn that this trend could lead to even higher snow lines in future winters.
• A long-term pattern is emerging, with similar trends observed in January 2021, 2023, and 2024.
• Winter precipitation has been lower than usual in recent years, contributing to the shift.
• The trend of increasing winter temperatures is causing snow loss before it can compact into ice.
• This change could lead to long-term glacial shrinkage, impacting freshwater supplies and increasing wildfire risks.