Greek mountain snow cover declines by more than half since 1980s

Snow cover on Greece's mountains has declined by more than half since the mid-1980s, according to new research from the University of Cambridge's Scott Polar Research Institute, a finding that aligns with the experiences of residents in the mountain town of Arachova who say winters have become dramatically less snowy.

Giannis Stathas, now mayor of Arachova and the surrounding area, recalled being snowed in for days as a child in the village, which is known for its ski resort and as a winter destination for Greeks. He said snowfall that once occurred at an altitude of around 300 meters now only falls at about 2,400 meters on Mount Parnassos.

The research, led by snow hydrologist Konstantis Alexopoulos of the University of Cambridge and the National Observatory of Athens, analyzed 40 years of satellite imagery from NASA and the European Space Agency. Researchers used machine learning to fill gaps caused by cloud cover and infrequent satellite passes. Alexopoulos said the team expected a decline but was surprised by its magnitude. He noted that other mountainous regions such as the Andes and the Himalayas have also experienced steep declines in snow cover, but not at the rate seen...