Articles tagged with Snow
New research shows that the amount of water flowing through rivers in snow-affected areas depends on how much precipitation falls as snowfall. In a warming climate, reduced snowfall leads to decreased river discharge. The study highlights the importance of streamflow for society, including ecosystem stability and hydropower.
Carbon monoxide exposure cases rise after snowstorms and power loss, with generators and car exhaust as common sources; public health education crucial to prevent poisoning.
Researchers at Queen Mary University of London have discovered that the amount of snow needed to trigger an avalanche in the Himalayas can be up to four times smaller than in the Alps. This finding has significant implications for mitigating natural hazards and safeguarding people on mountain villages, roads, and ski resorts.
A recent study by Simon Fraser University geographer Lance Lesack discovered that warmer springs with unexpected snowfall declines are driving earlier-than-expected ice breakup in great Arctic rivers. This finding is significant as it challenges previous assumptions about the effects of climate change on Arctic ice systems.
The new animation shows the movement of storms from January 1 to March 24, revealing why the US East Coast had a snowy winter. The region experienced record snowfall, with cities like Boston and Washington D.C. receiving significantly more than their average winter snowfall.
The NASA-JAXA Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory has released its first images, capturing precipitation falling inside a March cyclone over the northwest Pacific Ocean. The data show high-quality measurements of global precipitation, including light drizzle, heavy downpours, and falling snow.
Researchers are using a unique approach to climate change vulnerability, involving community stakeholders and scenario-building techniques. The study focuses on two geographic case studies, Big Hole Valley in Montana and Grand County in Colorado, exploring how communities can prepare for future ecological hazards.
A late winter storm brought 6-12 inches of snow to the Mid-Atlantic, with clouds and snowflakes visible on NASA satellite imagery. The NOAA GOES-East satellite captured the storm's path, showing its movement through the region.
The study provides a detailed picture of biological events like flower blooming, animal emergence, and leaf fall, showing a more complex pattern than previously thought. Over 39 years, the flowering season expanded by more than a month due to earlier snowmelt and warming climate.
A powerful storm system brought drastic temperature changes to the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern US, with Washington D.C. experiencing a 40-degree drop in daytime temperatures and Buffalo, NY receiving 13.8 inches of snow.
Traffic engineers at Wayne State University suggest metered roundabouts, or 'super circles,' as a solution to alleviate rush-hour congestion and enhance safety in the US. The proposed system utilizes stop lights to control peak hour traffic flow, reducing capacity issues and promoting safer intersections.
The TRMM satellite's data revealed a large low-pressure center in the Pacific Ocean moving towards California, resulting in over four inches of rain and evacuation orders. The storm then affected Arizona, New Mexico, and eventually the Ohio Valley, with precipitation and snow covering large areas of the Eastern US.
A major winter storm brought snow and freezing rain to the US east coast on March 2-3, with data from NOAA's GOES-East satellite compiled into a video by NASA. The storm's movement was tracked using MODIS instrument data, providing a clear picture of its path.
The NASA satellite captured a record-breaking freeze on the Great Lakes, with 80.3% of the lake's surface covered in ice. This is the most extensive ice cover since 1994, and scientists attribute it to persistently low temperatures across the region.
A Dartmouth-led study finds that temperature, not snowfall, is driving the fluctuating size of Peru's Quelccaya Ice Cap, a symbol for global climate change. The research uses field mapping and ice core analysis to determine that temperature was the primary driver of glacial expansion and retreat.
NASA and NOAA combined satellite footage shows the massive winter storm's development and movement, with clouds and snow stretching from southern US to northeast. The storm brought freezing rain, significant snow accumulations, and ice storm warnings across mid-Atlantic states.
Researchers have developed a smartphone-based system that can locate buried avalanche victims using satellite navigation, promising faster and more precise rescue operations. The Galileo-LawinenFon system uses the combined signals of GPS, Galileo, and GLONASS satellite systems to pinpoint accident victims in seconds.
The UEA project aims to understand the chemical exchanges between ocean, sea ice, snow, and atmosphere in polar regions. It will use a unique sea ice chamber and computer models to predict the effect of global warming on Arctic ice melt.
A new study suggests that Antarctica's ice shelves are at risk of collapsing due to global warming. The disappearance of the snow layer on top of the ice shelves could lead to a rapid increase in sea levels. Researchers warn that urgent action is needed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate this threat.
Researchers mapped a large aquifer in southeast Greenland using Operation IceBridge radar data, covering an area larger than West Virginia, with the potential to raise sea levels by 0.016 inches per inch. The perennial aquifer is a heat reservoir for the ice sheet, and its filling and discharging mechanisms are not yet fully understood.
Researchers discovered a new aquifer in the Greenland Ice Sheet that holds liquid water all year long, covering 27,000 square miles. This find is crucial for understanding the contribution of snowmelt and ice melt to rising sea levels.
Researchers studied computer simulations and found distinct forms of events, which were later confirmed through experiments. The study's findings show that the shape of an avalanche holds more information than traditional indices.
Scientists have discovered new evidence that the Italian Alps are warming at an unprecedented rate. A team of glaciologists drilling ice cores found a 2,600-year-old larch tree leaf that suggests the glacier was once below-freezing but now has layers at the melting point throughout the year.
Researchers analyzed 32 years' worth of data from satellite instruments to find temperatures plummeting to record lows dozens of times in clusters of pockets near a high ridge between Dome Argus and Dome Fuji on the East Antarctic Plateau. The new record of minus 136 F (-93.2 C) was set Aug. 10, 2010.
Rutgers researchers confirm presence of Periplaneta japonica, a species well-documented in Asia, which can survive freezing temperatures and outdoor conditions. The new species was first spotted in New York in 2012 and is not expected to pose an alarm, but may compete with existing cockroach species for space and food.
A Dartmouth College study suggests that more frequent logging or deforestation may better serve the planet and pocketbooks in high-latitude areas where snowfall is common. The research found that including the value of albedo, or surface reflection of incoming solar energy, can shorten optimal forest rotation periods significantly.
Researchers found that over half of subarctic lakes show signs of desiccation, with some drying up completely in summer 2013. The decline in meltwater is linked to dry summers and less snowy winters, which could lead to significant ecological consequences.
Researchers at the University of Washington have found that tree cover causes snow to melt more quickly in warm climates. In contrast, open areas tend to keep snow on the ground longer into the spring and summer. The study used temperature data from around the world to support its findings.
Researchers are mapping Greenland's ice sheet and surrounding Arctic sea ice using a single season of summer melt data. The study aims to provide baseline measurements for future satellite missions.
The study provides an invaluable resource for big cat conservation by sequencing the genomes of tigers, lions, leopards, and domestic cats. Key findings include genetic similarities between big cats and humans, as well as unique adaptations to high-altitude environments.
A new study projects a 56% drop in Oregon's peak snowpack by mid-century, with significant impacts on ecosystems, agriculture, and hydropower. The study highlights the risks facing low-elevation, mountainous regions where snow often falls near freezing temperatures.
A new study by WCS and Snow Leopard Trust reveals the link between cashmere trade and ecosystem decay in remote Central Asia. The cashmere industry's expansion leads to conflicts with pastoralists, wildlife displacement and even retaliatory killing of iconic species like snow leopards and wild yaks.
Scientists have captured the first direct images of a snow line in an infant solar system, revealing its role in forming planets. The study uses radio-wavelength images from the Atacama Larger Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) telescope to show a carbon monoxide snow line around TW Hydrae, 175 light-years away.
Astronomers have imaged the carbon monoxide snow line around a young star, TW Hydrae, for the first time. The discovery sheds light on planet and comet formation, with implications for the origin of life.
Astronomers use ALMA to image a snow line around TW Hydrae, a young star 175 light-years away, providing clues about the early Solar System. The discovery sheds light on the role of snow lines in planet formation and potentially seeds life with essential organic molecules.
GROVER successfully demonstrated autonomous operation in Greenland's harshest environment, collecting radar data and transmitting information in real-time. The robot's performance was affected by extreme polar conditions, but the results promise potential for future autonomous robotic platforms to support scientific research.
Scientific studies estimate Colorado River flow declines of 6-45% by 2050, varying due to climate models and spatial resolution. The new study provides a framework for comparison, identifying key factors affecting predictions.
Wildfires in Siberia have been reported across two regions, with multiple hotspots detected by NASA's MODIS satellite. The Kosmosnimki website reports a total of 85 outbreaks in the Suntarsky Ulus region and 237 outbreaks in the Kobjajsky ulus region.
Experiments show high sinking speed for dead gelatinous plankton species, contributing to the biological pump. Fast sinking provides high-quality food resources for benthic organisms and releases CO2 that can be stored without direct contact with the atmosphere.
Glaciers in the Mount Everest region have shrunk by 13% in the last 50 years, with snowlines shifted upward by 180 meters. The researchers suspect human-generated greenhouse gases are causing climate change, but need to establish a firm connection.
A decline in snow cover poses a significant threat to many plant and animal species, compromising their survival during harsh winter weather. The subnivium, a seasonal microenvironment beneath the snow, is experiencing drastic changes due to rising temperatures.
GROVER will collect measurements to study how snow accumulates on the ice sheet, adding layer upon layer over time. The robot carries a ground-penetrating radar to detect the layer of the ice sheet formed after an extreme melt event.
In eastern Russia, fires are set to clear land for planting and renew pastures. Fire is used globally as a tool for managing resources, mitigating larger wildfires.
Researchers found that sunlit snow is a major source of atmospheric bromine in the Arctic, purging pollutants and destroying ozone. The loss of sea ice could disrupt this delicate balance and have extreme effects on atmospheric chemistry.
Researchers developed a high-speed camera system to photograph snowflakes in 3D as they fall, capturing their true complexity and size. The Multi-Angle Snowflake Camera collects vast amounts of data to improve weather forecasting models and simulate precipitation.
New research from the Antarctic Peninsula reveals a significant increase in the length of the melting season over the last 60 years. The study found that the summer melt season has been linked to the rapid break-up of ice shelves and rising sea levels, with temperatures warming by up to 3°C since the 1950s.
A recent study published in Natural Climate Change reveals a significant reduction in temperature and vegetation seasonality over northern latitudes. As snow and ice cover diminished, temperatures increased at different rates during the four seasons, causing this region to resemble areas farther south in terms of vegetation patterns.
A powerful Nor'easter merged two low-pressure areas on March 6, bringing winter weather advisories to the Mid-Atlantic. NASA provided satellite views of the storm's power and movement, showing the heaviest precipitation over New Jersey and Maryland.
Researchers have discovered a 22-year record of atmospheric chemistry in Antarctic snow, revealing clear connections between oxygen anomalies and global El Nino events. This breakthrough enables the reconstruction of paleoclimate cycles, providing new insights into Earth's climate history.
A new climate model developed at NOAA's GFDL predicts an increase in snowfall for Earth's polar regions and highest altitudes, but a decline globally due to rising CO2 levels. This could spell trouble for regions relying on snowmelt as a source of fresh water.
A new study reveals that mountains can play a crucial role in triggering lake-effect snowstorms over large bodies of water. The research found that three key mountain-related factors were necessary to produce the October 2010 storm that hit metropolitan Salt Lake City and the Wasatch Range.
NASA released an animation of NOAA satellite imagery showing the lifetime of the historic nor'easter that brought over 2 feet of snow to New England states on Feb. 8-9, 2013. The storm left over 650,000 without power and led to travel bans in several governors' states.
A study predicts that climate change could cause financial losses of up to 50 million euros for Andorran ski resorts, mainly due to shortened seasons and reduced snow production. The study analyzed three ski resorts in the Pyrenees and found that lower altitude areas would be most affected by warmer temperatures.
New research from the NEEM project in Greenland reveals that the Eemian period was around 8 degrees C warmer than today, with global sea levels four to eight meters higher. The ice sheet was less than half the total sea-level rise during this period.
Scientists study snow bunting populations in North America, revealing east-west migratory divide and mixed-data approach for tracking connectivity. The research supports the need for a versatile mix of data to assess habitat changes and climate change effects on breeding success.
A massive low-pressure area dropped over a foot of snow in some Midwestern states, prompting severe warnings and weather advisories. The AIRS instrument on NASA's Aqua satellite captured an infrared image showing the heaviest precipitation areas at -63.6°F (-53.5°C) near New England states.
A new study published in Nature shows that increased snowfall in Antarctica leads to more rapid ice flow and greater ice loss, contributing to higher sea levels. The research suggests that global warming may accelerate ice discharge from the continent, potentially offsetting any ice gain due to increased snowfall.
A new study reveals that climate change is altering the Northern hardwood forest ecosystem, affecting maple syrup production, wildlife health and timber resources. The research highlights the need for long-term studies to understand and manage these complex effects.
Himalayan glaciers in Bhutan are projected to shrink by 10% within a few decades despite stable temperatures. Glacial meltwater could drop by 30%, increasing the risk of flooding in neighboring villages.
Asteroid belts may play a key role in the evolution of complex life. According to a NASA study, only a tiny fraction of planetary systems seem to have giant planets in the right location to produce an asteroid belt of the appropriate size. This suggests that our solar system may be special.