Snow patch on Scottish mountain named ‘climate change barometer’ melts for fourth consecutive year
A significant snow patch on a mountain in the Scottish Highlands has melted for the fourth year in a row, marking an unprecedented event in recorded history. The Sphinx, a longstanding snow patch located on Braeriach, the UK’s third-highest mountain in the Cairngorms, has succumbed to the effects of climate change. Historical records indicate that the Sphinx has melted a total of 11 times since the 1700s, with three instances occurring in the 20th century – in 1933, 1959, and 1996. However, in the 21st century alone, the Sphinx has melted eight times within just 24 years.
The Sphinx, named for the rocks that surround it in Garbh Choire Mor, dates back to the last Ice Age and has served as a critical indicator of environmental change. Citizen scientist Iain Cameron, aged 51, who has been monitoring the patch for two decades, described visiting the site recently to find the patch measuring approximately 0.5 meters, predicting its complete melt by the next day. Cameron expressed mixed emotions, likening the experience to visiting an elderly relative, recalling the patch’s varying sizes over the years, from 2 meters to 50 meters.
Cameron emphasised the importance of these snow patches as barometers for climate change, noting the disappearance of long-lasting patches that are now dwindling rapidly. He highlighted the impact of reduced snowfall, attributing it to fewer western-facing storms from the Atlantic and a shift from snow to rain precipitation. The Sphinx’s monitoring dates back to the 1840s by the Scottish Mountaineering Club, with notable melts in 1933, 2003, 2006, 2017, and 2018. Despite adverse weather events like the Beast from the East in 2018, which affected Scotland, the Sphinx’s eastern-facing position prevented any preservation.
In response to these recurring melts, Cameron authored a book titled “The Vanishing Ice” in 2021, reflecting on the pessimistic title’s accuracy as he witnesses the relentless disappearance of these significant snow patches. As a non-scientist and climate enthusiast, he mourns the loss of these natural landmarks that serve as poignant reminders of the Earth’s changing climate. As the Sphinx’s vanishing act continues, Cameron’s observations underscore the urgency of addressing climate change and its profound effects on the natural world.