DURHAM, N.H. — (August 26, 2026) — A team of northern New England universities and institutions has been awarded $5.9 million from the National Science Foundation (NSF) to advance snow research and explore connections between winter weather and the outdoor recreation economy in Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. The University of Vermont (UVM), which will lead the effort, is the recipient of $3.3 million and the University of New Hampshire (UNH) is the recipient of an additional $2.6 million as a collaborator. The project will include the University of Maine and eight other regional institutions.
“For decades, western states have dominated snow research in the United States. This investment from NSF will supercharge northern New England snow studies,” said UVM’s Keith Jennings, the principal investigator on the project. “Thanks to federal NSF support, we will install snow monitoring equipment in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. This new regional capability will improve computer model simulations of northern New England water resources and mountain weather, while also connecting the dots between winter weather and economic development.”
The project, Snow STORE (Science and Technology for Operations, Research, and Economic Development in Northern New England), brings together collaborators in academia and industry from the region to enhance observations of mountain snowpacks at existing research sites, like Mount Washington Observatory, and the Sleepers River research watershed, as well as winter recreation areas like Vermont’s Stowe Mountain Resort and Sugarloaf Mountain in Maine.
Snow STORE will unify the efforts to markedly advance regional snow and precipitation monitoring capabilities. Together, the partners will connect the researchers to recreators and novel research sites, provide real-world feedback on snow data for operational decision-making, and support workforce development and training.
Although snowfall powers the multi-billion-dollar outdoor recreation economy of these states, there is no standardized, automated monitoring network tracking snowpack dynamics in the northeast and its impact on the industry, as well as the environment. This collaborative project will develop foundational snow monitoring infrastructure adapted for the unique climates, geographies, ecosystems, and communities of northern New England.
“Our goal is to look at the impact of snow on our mountains, how it is changing, its effect on weather and flooding, and the science behind our changing snow,” said Elizabeth Burakowski, research associate professor in department of Earth sciences at UNH. “Typically, snow measurements are taken by hand, so these new monitors will allow for more comprehensive and continuous measurements to gain a better understanding of change, provide data and a dashboard, and help forecast a wide variety of activity with our rivers, forests, and overall flooding incidents.”
The team will unify weather station networks, ski areas, and long-term research sites across a range of elevations and climates, prioritizing study sites that have existing, or soon-to-be-installed, monitoring equipment. UVM plans to supplement existing weather stations at the Jericho Research Forest, Mt. Mansfield, and Sleepers River Research Watershed. The University of New Hampshire will work with researchers at Mount Washington Observatory, operators at recreational areas like Wildcat Mountain Resort, and research areas like Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest, while also providing expertise in snow modeling to better understand snowpack.
Collaboration between all eleven institutions will support four broad themes: (1) Advance snow and runoff modeling, (2) Enhance situational awareness of mountain weather, (3) Deliver actionable snow and weather data to decision-makers, (4) Mobilize the outdoor recreation economy.
Through advances in snow monitoring, modeling, weather sensors, cyberinfrastructure, economics, and social science, the team will influence day-to-day operations for partners in the recreation, weather, and science sectors. The key here is the aggregation and synthesis of varying snow and weather data sources to create a real-time, one-stop shop for actionable information on current and future conditions.
Snow STORE will build novel snow and weather monitoring infrastructure across northern New England that will provide timely and accurate data to winter recreation areas allowing outdoor recreation site operators to manage conditions more effectively. Through increased knowledge of variable snow and weather conditions, decision-makers will be more equipped to maximize ski area benefits, particularly by improving their snowmaking strategies. It also aims to improve decision support for visitors, safeguard communities from winter weather hazards, and revitalize the regional economy.
Partners include: Ski Vermont, Ski NH, and Ski Maine Association; the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation and Industry Development, and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation; the National Weather Service (NWS) Burlington Weather Forecast Office (WFO) and Northeast River Forecast Center (NERFC); the Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC); and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. (CUAHSI).
The NSF program, EPSCoR Research Infrastructure Improvement: Focused EPSCoR Collaborations, promotes scientific progress nationwide, specifically by establishing partnerships with government, higher education, and industry to create sustainable improvements in research.
###
About the University of New Hampshire
The University of New Hampshire inspires innovation and transforms lives in our state, nation and world. More than 15,000 students from 50 states and 87 countries engage with an award-winning faculty in top-ranked programs in business, engineering, law, health and human services, liberal arts and the sciences across more than 200 programs of study. A Carnegie Classification R1, land, sea and space grant institution, UNH has FY25 research expenditures of more than $188 million, to further explore and define the frontiers of our world.
About UVM: For People and Planet
Founded in 1791, UVM is the leading public university where discovery, creativity, community, and action coalesce to secure a thriving future for people and planet. Recognized among the nation’s top R1 research institutions, Vermont’s land-grant university attracts $240 million annually for groundbreaking research and enrolls approximately 14,000 students from 50 states and 75 countries. At UVM, students, faculty, and staff work together in pursuit of a healthier, greener future. Learn more at uvm.edu.