Humidity, snowpack, and climate warming

Researchers report that across 462 sites in the western United States, the magnitude and frequency of winter snow melt increased with increasing winter temperature between 1985 and 2015 in humid locations such as the Pacific Northwest, whereas in the arid Southwest, winter snow ablation did not increase but spring snow melt slowed down and occurred earlier as temperature increased, suggesting that humidity significantly influences how snowpack responds to warming temperatures.

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Article #17-16789: "Humidity determines snowpack ablation under a warming climate," by Adrian A. Harpold and Paul D. Brooks.

MEDIA CONTACT: Adrian Harpold, University of Nevada, Reno, NV; tel: 253-838-4465, 607-342-3353; e-mail: adrian.harpold@gmail.com