Articles tagged with Snow
A recent study found that climate change has led to a 20% loss in the annual maximum amount of water contained in the Western US's mountain snowpack over the last three decades. The researchers estimate that further losses of up to 60% could occur within the next 30 years, posing significant economic and societal impacts.
The Antarctic Mesoscale Prediction System (AMPS) shows promise in representing actual precipitation events, with ~28% of AWS snow height measurements reproduced. Significant correlation was found between AMPS and AWS coincident event sizes at five stations.
Researchers at EPFL's Environmental Remote Sensing Laboratory developed an algorithm to classify six different classes of snowflakes, improving precipitation measurement and forecast accuracy. The study used high-resolution images of snowflakes taken from three angles and analyzed their shape, geometry, and electromagnetic properties.
Researchers found that snow absorbs certain polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from car emissions, increasing toxic pollutant levels in the environment. The study highlights the need for further research to reduce premature deaths caused by mild air pollution in North America.
The study reveals that the ice caps around Greenland's edges have lost their capacity to contain and refreeze meltwater, causing massive ice mass loss. The researchers found that the highest ice caps are still relatively healthy, but the 'melting line' is moving towards them, posing a significant problem.
Researchers found that melting on Greenland passed a tipping point 20 years ago, causing the smallest glaciers and ice caps to no longer regrow lost ice. The study suggests that this will raise global sea level by about 1.5 inches by 2100.
Climate change is altering silica uptake in sugar maple trees, potentially affecting ecosystems. Warmer winters and reduced snow cover are damaging tree roots, leading to a significant loss of silica, which plays crucial roles in forest health.
A new study by the University of New Hampshire shows that warmer winters with less snow result in a longer lag time between spring events, leading to a more protracted vernal window. This may have ecological, social, and economic consequences, including impacts on agriculture, fisheries, and outdoor recreation.
Researchers at Georgia Tech found that changes in atmospheric circulation, caused by Arctic sea ice loss and increased Eurasian snowfall, contribute to stagnant air conditions over China. This leads to the buildup of pollution, exacerbating winter haze problems in regions like Beijing. The study suggests that global climate change will...
A powerful nor'easter is forecast to impact the US East coast with heavy snowfall totals from the Mid-Atlantic to New England. Forecasters predict 12-18 inches of snow, with localized amounts up to 2 feet, and strong winds that could cause power outages.
Operation IceBridge's ninth year in the Arctic will be its most extensive campaign yet, with two new research flights based out of Svalbard to survey the Eurasian sector. The mission aims to collect valuable data on polar ice changes and improve snowfall accumulation models.
A new computer model is being developed to simulate the mechanical properties of snow and predict its behavior in various scenarios. This model will enable more accurate forecasts for avalanches and help determine the load on buildings caused by snow.
A new study by NCAR scientists finds that as the world warms, mountain snowpack will not only melt earlier but also more slowly. This shift could lead to reduced streamflow, affecting urban water supplies and riparian ecosystems.
A new study suggests that warmer conditions could make years like 2015, with historically low snowpack levels, occur about once a decade, while snowpack similar to 2014 will happen every 4-5 years. The region's snowpack is highly sensitive to increasing temperatures.
The SnowEx mission aims to determine which combination of sensors works best for collecting global snow-water measurements, critical for understanding and managing freshwater resources. The team will fly multiple airborne sensors over Grand Mesa, Colorado, to evaluate their performance in measuring snowpack properties and SWE.
A study published in The Cryosphere shows the Alps could lose up to 70% of snow cover by the end of the century unless global warming is kept below 2°C. However, if emissions are controlled, the reduction would be limited to 30% by 2100.
A study published in the journal Emotion found that husbands and wives who practiced compassionate acts reported higher emotional well-being, with benefits significantly stronger for the donors than recipients. The researchers discovered that recognition by the recipient is not necessary for the donor's benefit.
A new study finds that heavy snowfall and longer duration are associated with a higher risk of hospital admission for heart attack in men. The study suggests shovelling may be the main mechanism linking snowfall to MI, particularly after heavy snowfalls.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that around a quarter of snow leopard and Himalayan wolf diets consist of livestock, highlighting the challenges for conserving these endangered species. The research analyzed DNA and hairs in scats from 182 snow leopards and 57 wolves, revealing prey preferences and diet composition.
Research led by University of Colorado Boulder found that coal mine dust lowers spectral reflectance of nearby snow and ice by up to 84 percent. This reduction in reflectance can lead to faster Arctic ice melt due to the dark-colored particulates' ability to absorb more solar radiation.
A new study found that hospital admissions for cardiovascular diseases decline on snowy days but surge 23% two days later, according to a Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health study. The researchers analyzed data from four major Boston hospitals and found cold-weather-related disease admissions increased by 3.7% on high snowfall days.
A recent study on alpine snow voles found a counterintuitive genetic change towards smaller body mass despite expected positive selection for increased fitness. The research suggests that selection for shorter development times leads to genetic change.
Researchers found that snow voles in Graubünden evolve towards smaller sizes when winters start earlier due to increased food availability. This genetic adaptation helps young voles reach their maximum weight before harsh weather sets in, ensuring their survival.
A collaboration between NASA and the Colorado Basin River Forecast Center uses satellite data to improve stream flow forecasts, reducing errors by up to 70 percent. This enhances decision-making for managing water resources and reservoir facilities in the basin.
NASA's TRMM-based Multi-satellite Precipitation Analysis reveals higher-than-average precipitation in California due to the Pineapple Express, causing widespread flooding and mudslides. The atmospheric river event has brought much-needed relief but also poses significant challenges.
Researchers from the University of Cincinnati studied pink snow algae growing on volcanic terrains in the Pacific Northwest, finding it can lower albedo and increase surface melting. The study suggests atmospheric sources of ammonia and nitrate may be driving the growth and survival of these algae.
Researchers observed a male Japanese macaque mounting two female Sika deer, with the animals engaging in non-penetrative sexual behavior. The study suggests that hormonal surges during breeding season may trigger such interactions, highlighting an unusual form of interspecies communication.
A series of moisture-laden storms has affected the western US, including California and the Pacific Northwest, causing extreme rain events and blanketeting the region in snow. The National Weather Service is forecasting heavy snows and periods of rain with potential flooding or flash flooding along the West Coast.
NASA analyzed Hawaii's heavy snowfall using GPM satellite data, finding precipitation rates exceeding 9.3 inches per hour in intense storms. The average freezing level was determined to be around 14,127 feet, with slopes reaching as low as 12,795 feet.
Researchers at UT Austin found that incorporating snow data from space into climate models can improve seasonal temperature predictions. The study improved regional temperature predictions by 5 to 25 percent, with the biggest improvements happening in regions where ground-based measurements are sparse.
A new study found that toxic marine snow formed by the algae Pseudo-nitzschia can reach significant depths quickly and persist for months. This marine snow can accumulate high levels of domoic acid, a neurotoxin that can cause neurological and gastrointestinal symptoms in humans.
A new study published in Geophysical Research Letters attributes the 2015 West Coast record-low snowpack to unusually high temperatures, not low precipitation. The researchers used a crowd-sourced supercomputer to analyze data and found that greenhouse gases contributed strongly to the risk of snow droughts in Oregon and Washington.
Researchers found that salty snow and sea ice can increase nitrogen oxide levels in the air, affecting ozone formation. The study suggests incorporating these factors into future models to better predict Arctic air pollution.
A recent UBC study found that directing building air handling units through a snow dump can reduce summer air-conditioning bills. The study's results show promising potential for this type of system to be used in large buildings and institutions.
Scientists warn that global warming signals are masked by random weather variations, but expect increased snowfall in Antarctica due to higher moisture levels. The study concludes that the human influence on Antarctic surface mass balance will become detectable within the next few decades.
A new study finds that rising Antarctic temperatures will lead to more snowfall, which could help mitigate global sea level rise. By mid-century, the effect of human-induced warming on Antarctica's net snow accumulation is expected to emerge above natural climate variability.
A study published in Geophysical Research Letters reveals that slower snowmelt in the western US is reducing streamflows and impacting downstream water availability. The research found that areas with significant snowfall are most sensitive to changes in snowmelt rates, with some regions experiencing more significant decreases in strea...
Climate change is threatening to expose the hazardous waste from an abandoned US military base in Greenland's ice sheet, posing a significant environmental hazard. The site contains toxic pollutants and radioactive waste that could disrupt marine ecosystems if the ice melts.
A new study finds that climate change could remobilize abandoned hazardous waste from a US military base in Greenland, potentially disrupting nearby ecosystems. The camp's infrastructure and waste are estimated to contain toxic pollutants like PCBs and radioactive coolant.
A US military base in Greenland, built during the Cold War, could re-release frozen hazardous waste into the environment as its ice cover melts. The site, known as Camp Century, contains an estimated 200,000 liters of diesel fuel and toxic pollutants like PCBs.
A team led by Lucas Cieza has made the first resolved observations of a water snow line in a protoplanetary disc using ALMA's long baselines. The discovery pushes the water snow line out to a distance of around 40 au, significantly impacting our understanding of planetary formation models.
A recent study reveals that red pigmented snow algae blooms in the Arctic significantly reduce albedo, leading to a runaway effect of accelerated melting. The findings suggest a universal model for algal-albedo interaction and quantify additional melting caused by algal blooms, shedding new light on climate change impacts.
A University of Utah study suggests that spring snowpack in higher elevations will be more dependent on precipitation than temperature in a warming climate. By the end of the century, the threshold elevation for temperature-controlled snowpack is expected to rise by around 800 feet, affecting ski resorts and water resources.
Scientists reconstruct ancient precipitation patterns in Greenland using aquatic plant leaf waxes, finding evidence of increased snowfall from 6,000 to 4,000 years ago. This trend is consistent with the hypothesis that global warming could drive Arctic snowfall increases, slowing ice sheet shrinkage and sea level rise.
A new study on Antarctica's snow core suggests that warmer temperatures and snowfall are not always linked, contradicting previous projections. Researchers found that individual snow years can have varying relationships with temperature, highlighting the importance of wind patterns in shaping Antarctic weather.
Researchers found that skis with wide grooves and narrow plateaus perform faster on warm snow, while narrower grooves and wider plateaus excel on cold snow. The study could lead to improvements in ski surface preparation.
Severe spring thunderstorms spawned over 67 tornadoes across the US, with intense rainfall totals reported in states including Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska. Heavy flooding caused six fatalities in Palestine, Texas, while six inches of rain were recorded in southern Mississippi.
Researchers discovered a strong thermal 'lid' trapping moisture and returning it to the surface, where it refreezes. However, this lid is becoming leaky due to global temperature increases, potentially destabilizing the snow surface.
Analysis of muskoxen hair shows limited forage availability and reliance on body stores during extreme winters. The method provides a unique way to monitor remote tundra animals and understand the impact of climate change.
A study published in PLOS ONE challenges the notion that Inuit and other Arctic groups have a vast number of words for snow, instead revealing that languages from warmer regions tend to use one word for both snow and ice
A study published in PLOS ONE found that languages using distinct words for snow and ice are spoken in warmer climates, supporting the idea that languages reflect communicative needs. The researchers analyzed nearly 300 languages and discovered a connection between temperature and snow/ice terminology.
A new study simulates climate change effects on Rocky Mountain stream systems, finding that warmer temperatures have a greater impact on streamflow than changes in precipitation type. This can lead to reduced streamflow and altered groundwater recharge patterns.
NASA's RapidScat instrument detected tropical-storm-force winds in a weather system affecting the Pacific Northwestern U.S. and southwestern Canada, bringing rain and snow to the region. Heavy rainfall totals of over 8 inches were estimated in some areas, with potential to alleviate California's long-lasting drought.
A new study found that Greenland's ice sheet has been darkening over the past two decades, absorbing more heat from the sun and increasing snow melt. The real culprits are two feedback loops created by the melting itself, which are driving changes in reflectivity.
A University of Delaware professor studied how permafrost thawing impacts vegetation and the carbon cycle in Alaska's North Slope. The study found that increased snow accumulation leads to warmer soils, greater methane emissions, and changes in plant species.
GPM's radar measured heavy rainfall in the Atlantic Ocean east of the Virginia coast, with rates exceeding 25 mm per hour. The low-pressure area also packed strong winds, generating gusts up to 65 mph, particularly across southeastern New England.
Researchers created a paleo-velocity map for Greenland, showing the ice sheet's flow pattern over the past 9,000 years. The study found that the ice sheet's interior is moving more slowly than during most of the Holocene period, while glaciers along the edges are rapidly thinning.
NASA analyzed satellite data measuring heavy precipitation in southern Florida, California, and across the Great Plains from late January to early February. The IMERG mission estimated over 200mm of precipitation in some areas, with powerful winds bringing down trees and power lines.
Researchers at University of Nottingham have developed a novel snow cleaning method for CMM styli, effective in removing tiny debris particles and organic residue, minimizing measurement errors.
RapidScat satellite revealed sustained winds of 45 meters per second along the coast of southern New Jersey, causing flooding. The Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured a visible-light image showing a blanket of snow stretching from Massachusetts to Missouri.