Produced by: Mohsin Shaikh
The snow line on Everest is climbing higher each year, exposing more of the mountain’s glaciers.
Scientists say snow loss at lower elevations is no longer unusual—it could be the region’s new climate reality.
Instead of melting, Everest’s snow is disappearing through sublimation, skipping liquid form and turning straight to vapor.
Unlike North American glaciers, Everest’s glaciers rely on monsoon snowfall, not winter storms, to sustain them.
Representative pic
Since December 2024, Everest’s snow line has risen 150 meters (490 feet) due to warm, dry conditions.
Shrinking snow cover means less water flowing downstream, threatening agriculture and drinking supplies.
Dry winters are fueling earlier and more intense wildfires in Nepal—2025 is already shaping up to be a dangerous year.
Landsat 9 captured shocking images of Everest’s shrinking snowpack, confirming what scientists feared.
Everest’s snow loss is part of a bigger climate shift—what happens here could foreshadow changes worldwide.