Articles tagged with Snow
Researchers have mapped snow mass changes in the Western US from 1982 to 2016 on a grid of squares 2.5-miles on a side, revealing significant declines in mountainous areas. The annual maximum snow mass over the Western US is decreasing, with some regions showing up to 41% reduction in yearly maximum mass since 1982.
A study by Berkeley Lab found that the Sierra Nevada snowpack could drop by 79% by 2100, leading to a shift in peak timing four weeks earlier. The researchers worked closely with water managers to produce 'actionable science' for resource planning purposes.
A new study by University of Colorado Boulder researchers found that ozone depletion above Antarctica increases snowfall, partially offsetting the continent's ice sheet mass loss. However, the gains in snowfall are outpaced by an even greater ice loss rate due to warming oceans.
A recent study found that pulses of organic carbon reaching the deep sea are not accurately represented in global climate models. The research, conducted at Station M off California's coast, showed a significant increase in pulse events between 2011 and 2017, with 40% of total carbon arriving during these episodes.
A new technique using environmental DNA from snow samples has been developed to improve the tracking of rare carnivores. This method outperforms traditional lab techniques in detecting genetic samples and reduces errors in species identification.
Researchers monitored agglomerate fog formation during a cold surge in Southeast China, analyzing the effect of rain, snow, and supercooled fog on wire icing growth. They found that certain meteorological conditions fueled the rate of icing growth, particularly at higher heights.
Researchers warn that Antarctica's ice sheet, which holds 190 feet of potential sea level rise, is under stress due to increasing meltwater on its surface. This could lead to the collapse of ice shelves and increased flow of ice into the ocean, contributing to global sea level rise.
Research finds that dark aerosols from Middle Eastern deserts can darken Tibetan Plateau snow, accelerating melting and intensifying the Asian summer monsoon. This mechanism explains a century-old hypothesis linking springtime snow cover to monsoon intensity.
Research suggests that reduced Arctic snow cover due to climate change poses a significant threat to the region's biodiversity. Many plant species rely on snow cover for survival and are already endangered, making conservation efforts crucial. The study highlights the importance of addressing climate change to preserve northern nature.
Scientists have discovered that winds blowing across Antarctica's Ross Ice Shelf cause it to vibrate, producing a near-constant set of seismic tones. The vibrations can be used to monitor changes in the ice shelf from afar and may provide insights into climate change.
The study found that mountain snowpack is vulnerable to climate warming, with a 20-40% decrease in above-average snow water equivalent for 1-2°C temperature increases. Regional variations were observed, with northern regions more susceptible than southern ones, affecting water resource management and wildfire activity.
Leaf fossils of Lilly Pilly trees found in the Snowy Mountains suggest a warmer climate with no winter snow around 20 million years ago. The discovery provides insight into the region's past vegetation and climate, with implications for understanding Australia's future weather patterns.
Researchers at the University of Kansas are part of a project using ultra-wideband radar to measure US snowpack depth and density. The goal is to predict snowmelt runoff and flooding potential for managing national water resources.
Research indicates that California will see increased winter precipitation, but dry conditions in non-winter months. The state's new norm could mimic or surpass the 2017 fire season, emphasizing the need for enhanced water storage capabilities.
A young researcher at EPFL and SLF created a highly accurate digital simulation of an avalanche, offering insight into its complex mechanics. The simulation takes into account the snow's behavior as both a solid and fluid, allowing for more effective risk management in the mountains.
Researchers found temperatures as low as -98 degrees Celsius in small valleys near the top of Antarctica's ice sheet, driven by persistent clear skies and extremely dry air. The study challenges current understanding of Earth's surface temperatures, suggesting a limit to how cold it can get.
Researchers at the University of Montana found that snowshoe hares' winter coats are determined by a single pigmentation gene activated during autumn molt. This discovery highlights the importance of hybridization in adapting to changing environments, particularly as snow cover decreases due to climate change.
Scientists successfully forecasted summer temperatures in western China using a new model, showing high correlation with observations over most regions. The predictability is linked to interannual SST variations and tropical Pacific trends.
Researchers at Colorado State University found that measuring snow persistence can accurately map patterns of annual streamflow in dry regions. The study highlights the importance of broadening research beyond high-elevation snowpack to account for changes in lower-elevation snowpack that affect streamflow.
Researchers found that Antarctic glaciers can experience surface melting during the winter months due to warm winds. The Larsen C ice sheet shows large meltwater lakes forming, which may affect ice-shelf stability and contribute to sea-level rise if ponds cause ice shelves to break up.
A line of strong storms, including an EF-2 tornado that killed one person and a tornado near Lynchburg, Virginia, were captured by NASA's GPM. The storm system was spawned by a deep trough of low pressure west of the Appalachians.
A new study from University of Wisconsin-Madison scientists describes a method using cloud characteristics to quantify snowfall on the Greenland Ice Sheet. The research found two distinct cloud types producing snow at Summit Station, with mixed-phase clouds accounting for 51% of snow accumulation.
Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, have been enjoying regular baths in the hot spring at Jigokudani in Japan for decades. A recent study found that female snow monkeys use the hot spring more often in winter than in spring to lower stress levels.
A study by University of Exeter researchers found a link between the solar cycle and extreme cold winter weather in the UK, Scandinavia, and Asia. During periods of low sunspot activity, Arctic warming and heavy snowfall occurred.
A new map by University of Colorado Boulder researchers shows wide variability in how and why different areas receive snow or rain. Coastal areas have a cooler threshold for rain, while inland and mountainous areas are more likely to see flurries even above freezing temperatures.
UNIGE researchers analyzed tree rings to link global warming to increasing frequency and intensity of avalanches in the Himalayas. The study found that rising temperatures have led to bigger avalanches traveling greater distances, threatening infrastructure development and socio-economic stability in regions like Himachal Pradesh.
Scientists at Ohio State University have revised the estimate of snow volume for North America, finding that snow accumulation in a typical year is 50% higher than previously thought. The total snow accumulation is around 1,200 cubic miles, with most of it occurring atop the Canadian Rockies and other mountain ranges.
A new study found that snowpack levels in the western United States have declined by 15-30% since 1915, with a significant impact on water storage and usage. The loss of water storage is comparable to Lake Mead, the West's largest manmade reservoir.
A study has identified areas where animals can adapt to changing climates through a process called evolutionary rescue. These zones, known as polymorphic zones, allow both brown and white individuals to coexist in winter, promoting rapid evolution towards winter brown coat colors.
A Virginia Tech student research team has discovered the Melt Mat, a thermally absorptive blanket that increases melting rates by threefold without any effort or energy input. The product can be used on residential driveways, sidewalks, parking lots, and athletic fields to save municipalities millions and homeowners from snow shovel duty.
Researchers created thermal blankets to absorb sunlight, melting snow three times faster than natural processes. The eco-friendly solution slashes snow-removal costs and reduces environmental contamination risks.
Researchers conducted a comprehensive study on cloud seeding, tracing the transition of ice crystals into snowflakes and observing the effects of silver iodide on cloud seeding. The study provides direct, quantifiable observations for the first time, shedding light on the effectiveness of cloud seeding in increasing winter snowfall.
A University of Wyoming researcher led a study on cloud seeding, demonstrating direct observation of cloud seeding for the first time. The research, dubbed SNOWIE, took place in Idaho and provided quantifiable observations of cloud seeding processes.
Researchers found that changes in humidity determine how much snowpack contributes to streams, lakes, and groundwater as the climate warms. Cloudy, humid winter days cause snowpack to warm faster, increasing melt during winter months. In contrast, clear skies and low humidity preserve the snowpack until spring. The study highlights the...
New NOAA research predicts snowpack levels in the West 8 months in advance, providing crucial information for farmers and urban water managers. The accurate predictions can be made on a mountain range scale, helping to improve regional water forecasts and inform decisions on water supply, wildfire risk, ecology, and agriculture.
Research across 462 sites in the western US found that winter snow melt increased with rising winter temperature in humid areas, but not in arid Southwest regions. In these areas, spring snow melt occurred earlier as temperatures rose.
A new study published in Nature Geoscience found that strong El Nino events cause rapid melting of Antarctic ice shelves due to increased basal melt and reduced snowfall. In contrast, La Nina events lead to an increase in surface mass gain and reduce ice loss.
Satellite imaging from NOAA's GOES-16 satellite reveals holiday travelers facing wet and snowy weather on both coasts. A large area of clouds associated with a frontal system is forecast to bring rain and snow across the US, with heavy rainfall and flooding predicted in the lower Mississippi and Tennessee Valleys.
Researchers directly observed microbial activity in Antarctic and Arctic snow, revealing metabolically active bacteria that remain active in compressed ice. This discovery could lower estimated CO2 levels before human impact, expanding the search for habitable planets.
A study from Dartmouth College reveals that warming tropical oceans have caused a strengthening of the Aleutian Low pressure system, driving increased snowfall in Alaska and other regions. This is evident in record accumulation rates dating back over 1200 years, exceeding normal variability.
Two storm systems were visible on satellite imagery, one in the Pacific Northwest and another in the northeastern U.S. Heavy rain and snow are expected for pre-Thanksgiving travelers in these regions. Additionally, a cold front is exiting the East Coast, bringing cooler temperatures to the eastern U.S.
A recent study on Mount Rainier floral communities found that climate change can cause reassembly among wildflowers, leading to disrupted interactions. In 2015, an unusually warm summer resulted in new patterns of flowering times, with some species blooming earlier and others later.
A new mapping tool helps wildlife and livestock managers prioritize prevention efforts in high-risk areas to minimize disease transmission. The model predicts an average of 700 elk abortions per year, with higher transmission risk at lower elevations during heavy snow years.
Drexel University researchers develop a method to create roads that can deice themselves during winter storms by adding phase change materials like paraffin wax to the concrete mix. The technology has shown promise in melting snow and ice, reducing the need for chemicals and salt.
A new study models the impact of changing precipitation patterns in northern European and North American cities, finding that urban runoff is strongly controlled by built-up versus vegetated surfaces. The research also highlights the importance of wintertime climate for northern cities' flood risks.
Periglacial zones, which cover a quarter of the Earth's land surface, are expected to reduce dramatically by 2050 and almost disappear by 2100 due to climate change. This could trigger significant changes in landscapes and biodiversity, with potential implications for regional climate systems.
A new study by CIRES and NOAA researchers found that the spring snowmelt has arrived nearly three days earlier every decade from 1975 to 2016, while the first snow has been happening later. The end result is an increase in length of the snow-free season by about one week per decade.
Small mountain glaciers play a significant role in recharging vital aquifers and keeping rivers flowing during the winter. A new study found that these glaciers contribute up to 66% of annual flow in mountain streams, highlighting their importance in maintaining ecosystem processes.
A six-nation study published in Scientific Reports reveals that modern diesel cars generally emit less pollution than gasoline-powered cars. Diesel's cleaner reputation is due to its lower invisible pollution, which outweighs the more visible emissions from gasoline vehicles.
Scientists reconstructed annual temperature anomaly in southern China from 1850-2009 using high-resolution temperature proxies. The results show robust centennial warming and a first rapid cooling followed by significant warming intervals, with the most recent being from 1970, featuring unprecedented warmth rates.
Researchers have found that significant amounts of black carbon can persist in both pristine and non-pristine areas of snow, impacting climate change predictions. The study used molecular analysis to track the origins of black carbon, finding evidence of wildfires burning thousands of miles away in remote areas.
A new study reveals that large-scale water cycles in California have a modest impact on small-scale earthquake activity. Slight changes in ground stress associated with snow accumulation, snowmelt, runoff, and irrigation for agriculture influence earthquake likelihood.
Researchers found that seasonal stress changes, caused by winter rains and summer rebound, lead to an increase in small earthquakes along California faults. The study used regional global positioning system data to calculate stresses due to water loads, revealing a correlation between peak stress and seismicity.
The study reveals that autumn Eurasian snowfall and surface air temperature contribute to snow variability via different pathways. Researchers found that atmospheric circulation, water vapor transport, and land-surface changes play crucial roles in shaping autumn Eurasian snow patterns.
Researchers will drill boreholes to study firn layer's structure and temperature, shedding light on heat absorption and sea level rise implications.
A new study co-authored by WCS explores the impact of reduced Arctic snow cover on tundra-dwelling wolverines. The research found that wolverines rely heavily on snow for denning, caching food, and other needs, making them more vulnerable to climate change.
NASA's Operation IceBridge expanded its Arctic ice survey range this year, covering a wider area than ever before with denser and more accurate measurements. The mission also explored the Eurasian half of the Arctic Basin and measured a newly formed crack on Petermann Glacier.
A new study found that warmer temperatures have deepened the decline in streamflow in the Upper Rio Grande watershed since the mid-1980s. The research suggests that incorporating temperature into water supply forecasts could improve their accuracy, especially in the face of climate change.
The study reveals three primary genetic clusters of snow leopards, each found in a distinct geographical region. The discovery sheds light on the species' evolution, ecology, and conservation, highlighting the need for transboundary initiatives to protect this majestic big cat.
A regional climate model predicts that future Hawaiian snowfalls will decrease dramatically, with average winter snowfall expected to be ten times less than present day amounts by the end of the century. The study provides insights into the benefits of model downscaling and highlights the need for monitoring climate change in the region.