Articles tagged with Snow
Researchers analyzed chytrid DNA from Japanese alpine snowpack sites and found three novel lineages of parasitic fungi. These chytrids are related to well-known frog pathogens but have a unique relationship with snow algae, potentially inhibiting melting of glaciers.
UCI scientists discover that deeper Arctic snowpack is thawing ancient permafrost reserves, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions. This process can accelerate emissions even if human-caused climate change is stopped.
Researchers found no directional change in Arctic spring timing over the past 25 years, instead observing extreme year-to-year variation due to climate variability. This shift is attributed to fluctuating temperatures and snow cover, pushing species to their limits.
The Colorado River Basin has lost approximately 40 trillion liters of water between 2000 and 2021 due to climate change, equivalent to the entire storage capacity of Lake Mead. The rapid reduction in runoff is largely responsible for this water loss, with warming temperatures leading to a 10.3% decrease in flow rates.
A team from the Second Tibetan Plateau Scientific Expedition and Research (STEP) has made a significant contribution to understanding Mount Qomolangma's mean snow depth. They used a novel approach to ground-penetrating radar technology, resulting in a snow depth of 9.5 ± 1.2 meters at the summit.
Researchers analyzed satellite data from 1967 to 2021, finding nearly twice as many grids with declining snow cover as advancing ones. Snow presence is decreasing in Arctic and southern latitudes, while some areas like Eastern Canada see an increase.
Climate change is shifting snowfall to rainfall on mountains across the Northern Hemisphere, increasing the risk of floods, landslides, and soil erosion. The study found that for every 1 degree Celsius increase in global temperature, high elevations can expect an average of 15% more rain.
A new study found that the 2022 snow season had the highest snowpack dust concentrations of any year since observations began in 2009, accelerating snowmelt by 17 days. The dry lakebed of the Great Salt Lake contributed the highest dust emissions per surface area, threatening Utah's water supply.
Researchers highlight the importance of human observation of storm events to understand wet weather's impact on the natural world. Direct observation can enhance understanding, incite curiosity, and strengthen bonds with nature, enriching environmental education and inspiring research.
A national study in Canada found that snowmaking requires 17,000 homes' worth of annual energy and 43.4 million cubic meters of water to produce 42 million cubic meters of machine-made snow. Collaboration between ski operators, policymakers, and environmental organizations is needed to develop sustainable practices.
A new Dartmouth study projects a 52% increase in extreme precipitation events in the Northeast by the end of the century. The region is expected to experience more frequent heavy rainfall events, with winter and spring contributing most to this projected increase.
A new study from the University of Colorado Boulder documents more than 60 years of change in snowpack water storage across Western North America. The researchers found that snowpack water storage has significantly declined in over 25% of the Mountain West, leading to earlier water scarcity and impacts on agriculture and wildfire risk.
A long-term study at the University of Eastern Finland reveals a significant reduction in palsa area by over 75% from 1959 to 2021. Climate change has only a limited impact on active layer thickness, contradicting expectations.
A new Dartmouth study examines how changes in precipitation and temperature due to global warming affect streamflow and flooding in the Northeast. The research finds that a warmer climate will lead to increased streamflow and higher flood risk, particularly if soils become wetter and more prone to heavy rainfall events.
Research finds extreme precipitation days will become more frequent, with up to 20-30% increase in moisture release. The LOCA2 climate projections cover the lower 48 US states, southern Canada, and northern Mexico, providing granular-level information for local planners.
A new study found that snowshoe hares' seasonal color swap is being disrupted by global warming, leaving them vulnerable to predators. Hares that wait too long to turn white may not survive the winter, highlighting the importance of timing in their survival.
The Tibetan Plateau's land surface darkening due to global warming affects regional and remote climates in Asia. The study predicts a 6.9% loss in glacier volume and increased monsoon precipitation over South Asia by the end of the century.
Scientists have calculated that the Amundsen Sea Embayment in West Antarctica has lost over 3,000 billion tonnes of ice over a 25-year period. The ice loss is attributed to extreme snowfall events and changes in ocean temperature and currents, contributing up to nine millimetres to global sea levels.
Researchers found zero skua nests and almost zero Antarctic petrel and snow petrel nests in regions with significantly higher snowfall than previous years. Extreme snowstorms interfere with the birds' ability to breed, causing tens of thousands of chicks and eggs to die.
Researchers have developed a chloride-free salt mixture that can melt snow and ice on roads for seven to eight years. The new asphalt additive, made from waste products and polymers, provides effective winter road safety without the downsides of traditional salt-based solutions.
Researchers analyzed relationships between snow cover and depth for three vegetation types in the Northern Hemisphere. Different interactions between land cover and snow processes were found, which climate models struggle to reproduce. This study highlights the need to improve snow parameterization schemes.
Jay W. McDaniel, assistant professor at the University of Oklahoma, receives a CAREER Award to develop a custom UAV-based radar suite for measuring snow depth and distribution. The project aims to improve understanding of snow characteristics and their impact on thermal balance between terrain and atmosphere.
A new study found that record-breaking snowmelt rates occurred at 24% of all mountain snowpack monitoring sites in the region in April 2021. This rapid snowmelt further compounded drought conditions, leading to reduced hydropower production and water availability across the West.
Researchers at the University of Basel have calculated that Andermatt-Sedrun-Disentis ski resort's 100-day ski season is unlikely by 2100 due to warmer winters. Water consumption for snowmaking will increase significantly, with an average winter requiring 540 million liters of water.
Great gray owls have a broad disc-like face that acts as radar to find food, while their facial features help correct for sonic distortions caused by snow. The owls' ability to hover above prey allows them to pinpoint location and avoid acoustic mirages created by the snow.
Research from Anglia Ruskin University reveals that spending time in snowy environments can improve body image and self-compassion. The study found that participants who scored highly in self-compassion displayed greater improvement in body appreciation after walking in a snow-covered woodland.
A new model reveals that warmer Arctic Ocean evaporation transports moisture south, leading to increased snowfall in northern Eurasia. The study sheds light on the mechanism of this phenomenon and its impact on severe weather events.
A new study warns that climate change will negatively impact mountain landscapes and human activity, increasing risks of natural hazards like avalanches and river floods. Mountain communities are also affected, with traditional practices like transhumance and agriculture dying out due to changing weather patterns and water scarcity.
As winters warm, nutrient pollution is putting water quality at risk in over 40 US states. The first-of-its-kind national study finds that previously frozen winter nutrient pollution is affecting 53% of the contiguous US and putting 50% of nitrogen and phosphorus pools at risk.
A new study finds that even a modest temperature increase of 1.5°C will spell serious consequences in India, China, Ethiopia, Ghana, Brazil, and Egypt, with droughts projected to last longer than two years in some countries. Limiting warming to 1.5°C could greatly benefit all six countries, but meeting the Paris Accords is crucial to r...
A new study by Eurac Research confirms negative global trends in mountain areas, with an average decline of 15 days of snow on the ground over 38 years. Snow cover has decreased by 4% globally, with peaks of 20 or more fewer days in Canada's western provinces.
A study found that winter storms in north-west India are 31% more frequent and 45% more intense during positive NAO phases, leading to increased moisture and precipitation in the western Himalayas. This could impact crop yields and water security in states like Jammu and Kashmir.
A new study models the spatial distribution of snow in the Arctic region, revealing its dependence on terrain, elevation, and vegetation. The findings will improve Earth-system models and provide a better understanding of changing hydrology and topography in the Arctic.
New evidence from Antarctica shows toxic fluorinated forever chemicals have increased markedly in recent decades, with scientists believing CFC-replacements are a likely source. The most abundant chemical discovered was perfluorobutanoic acid (PFBA), which has been linked to human exposure and immune system impairment.
A new climate change study finds that water resources will become more variable and unpredictable due to declining snowpack, resulting in less reliable runoff and streamflow. This decline will have cascading impacts on ecosystems that rely on snow-based water resources, including drying out soils and increasing fire risk.
A citizen science project called Snow Spotter analyzed tree-snow interactions to improve predictions of summer water supplies. The study found that snow in Washington's trees becomes 'cemented' and never leaves, while Colorado's trees experience frequent snowfall but dry conditions.
Satellite data reveals significant changes in Alpine ecosystems, with vegetation above tree line increasing by nearly 80% and snow cover decreasing slightly. This 'greening' trend is linked to rising temperatures and altered precipitation patterns, posing a threat to the region's unique biodiversity.
Researchers used an ant-tracking method to estimate snow depth and found that it was approximately half the average distance a photon traveled inside the snow. This technique can help predict changes in sea ice thickness and glaciers, crucial for water resource management and climate modeling.
A new study by University of Nevada, Reno and Desert Research Institute found that three factors – available winter snowfall, snow melt speed, and melting timing – impact critical water supplies. The research team developed a simple framework to help water managers predict timing and amount of streamflow as climate change accelerates.
A new study provides a framework for predicting snowpack runoff and its impact on flood risk during rain-on-snow events. By leveraging hourly data from existing snow monitoring stations, researchers have created a decision support tool that can help water managers prepare for potential flooding.
Researchers from Skoltech and others develop a simplified method using polarized light to identify icy areas on aircraft plating. This enables lab assistants to accurately measure the time it takes for ice to form, reducing the risk of accidents by up to 90%.
Researchers used satellite spectral albedo data to develop a scheme that optimizes albedo parameters at the local level, significantly reducing model albedo overestimation and improving snowfall simulations. This improves the accuracy of water cycle modeling on the Tibetan Plateau.
A new Concordia study reveals that climate change affects the province-wide analysis of landscape freeze-thaw cycles, leading to increased greenhouse gas emissions in northern regions and transitional days in southern areas. This can have significant impacts on infrastructure and greenhouse gas emissions.
Scientists have found argon trapped in ice cores from Greenland and Antarctica, which can be used to reconstruct past climate changes and temperature shifts. The discovery could improve our understanding of the Earth's atmosphere and climate over hundreds of thousands of years.
Researchers at EPFL and ETH Zurich propose a rational explanation for the deaths of nine hikers in 1959, attributing their injuries to a small slab avalanche. The team's work was met with intense media attention and criticism from conspiracy theorists before being accepted by the Russian scientific community.
Researchers found that big trees provide a doughnut-shaped zone surrounding them where snowpack can endure, benefiting forests with sparse precipitation. The study suggests conserving healthy and large tree species can help retain snow on the ground.
The Bureau of Reclamation released a new report evaluating current and emerging snow measurement technologies to enhance water supply forecasting. The report identifies under-utilized emerging technologies with potential to improve forecast accuracy in the near term.
Researchers tracked a Mongolian gazelle traveling over 18,000 km, while new studies on raccoon movement inform improved vaccination strategies against wildlife disease. In contrast, urban bird species exhibit varying body weights and lifespans based on city characteristics.
A study by University of Zurich researchers reveals Arctic warming causes temperature anomalies and cold damage thousands of kilometers away in East Asia, leading to reduced vegetation growth and smaller harvests. The warmer Arctic winters also trigger extreme winter weather events in the region.
The MOSAiC expedition provides the first complete picture of climate processes in the central Arctic, warming twice as fast as the rest of the planet. Researchers analyzed environmental parameters over a full annual cycle, finding more dynamic and faster drifting pack ice than expected.
Researchers at UNH found that reducing carbon dioxide emissions can preserve almost three weeks of snow cover and below freezing temperatures. This preservation is critical for woodland animals, preventing the spread of invasive pests, and maintaining ski resorts' ability to make snow.
Researchers from The University of Tokyo developed a model to predict the occurrence of red snow events, which are associated with the duration of snow melt and the timing of new snowfall. The study found that snow algae blooms can speed up snow melt as they darken the surface.
Researchers detected 43 trillion miniature plastic particles in Switzerland every year, with estimates suggesting up to 3,000 tonnes of nanoplastics covering the country annually. The study reveals that nanoplastics originate primarily from urban areas and global emissions, posing potential health risks when inhaled.
Researchers developed a new avalanche forecasting method using computer simulations of snow cover, which can detect weak layers and identify hazard in a different way. The approach showed consistent results with observed frequencies over 16 years, offering potential to support forecasting in the future.
A Dartmouth team compiled a global-scale dataset to show how uncertainties over determining snow depth can actually improve predictions of water availability. The approach leverages observational and definitional uncertainties to make better assessments of snow droughts and their impacts.
Researchers observed diverse aquatic biota in post-flood communities, with changes in flow dynamics and water chemistry supporting biological adaptation. The study highlights the role of floods in shaping floodplain ecosystems.
A new snow tracking sensor using infrared radiation technology will track daily snow depth, making it easier to predict and prevent winter-related hazards. The device will measure snow density by strata, providing more accurate data for avalanche forecasting and flood risk assessment.
A new OSU study found that snow cover plays a critical role in post-fire revegetation in the Pacific Northwest. Summer precipitation was the most important variable driving this process across four subregions, while snow cover frequency and prefire forest composition were also significant influencers.
The Mountain Rain or Snow project collects observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation from across mountainous regions. Volunteers can submit their own reports via smartphone or computer to improve satellite monitoring and model predictions, leading to better weather forecasts, skiing conditions, and avalanche risk assessments.
Staffordshire University researchers investigate the impact of melting snow and ice on ski tourism. Despite environmental changes, tourists prioritize mountains, scenery, and hiking opportunities, highlighting the need for adaptation and diversification in the industry.