13/10/2026
In 2026, long-term glacier monitoring continued in the Upper Stubach Valley. The Stubacher Sonnblickkees (SSK), Ödenwinkelkees (ÖWK) and Unteres Riffelkees (URK) remain at the heart of our observations. 🔎🏔️
The 2025/26 hydrological year brought particularly unfavorable conditions for glaciers in the high mountains. Winter was unusually mild and dry, with very little snowfall. At Rudolfshütte, only around 40% of the average new snowfall was recorded. ❄️ Summer 2026 also brought prolonged periods of heat and dry weather. 🌞🥵
These conditions make continuous monitoring more important than ever. Long-term measurements help us track glacier changes and understand their development in the context of weather, climate and the water cycle. 💦
For decades, the LTER Site Oberes Stubachtal has provided a unique foundation for this research – combining traditional field measurements with modern remote sensing and geoinformatics. 🧭
Translated from the German text by Bernhard Zagel (AGIT)
