First, we adapted a methodology employed by a number of academics who have been studying snowfall for decades. To study long-term trends and minimize data inconsistencies, Climate Central looked at snowfall trends in two ways. Different results can occur if observations were taken on a natural surface, pavement, on a picnic table, or on a “ snowboard.” Besides measuring actual snowfall amounts, there are also other types of snow measurements, including the equivalent water it contains and snowpack, which includes the depth of both old and new snow on the ground. Even during the same snow event, one community may receive a light dusting, while a nearby neighborhood with a slightly higher elevation may get a few inches.Įxamining how snowfall measurements are recorded is critical in comparing snow data across time and locations, including such things as observer instructions, time of observation, observer changes, and where the measurements were taken. Snow blows and drifts, it can become compacted, it can melt on contact. Snowfall is hard to measure with consistency and accuracy. That’s because warmer air “holds” more moisture-about four percent more per degree (F)-and that additional moisture can fall as snow when temperatures are below freezing.Īccording to ongoing academic research, warmer surface temperatures and reduced Arctic sea ice may also be leading to changing atmospheric circulation patterns that bring cold events to the eastern United States. ![]() In the United States, winters are the fastest warming season, the longest cold snaps are becoming shorter, and the number of days with temperatures below 32☏ is expected to continue to decline across the country.Ĭounterintuitively, global warming could actually cause colder regions to experience greater snowfall in the near to medium term. Common sense tells us that a warmer climate will have less snowfall, as warmer temperatures are likely to make the snow melt to rain before it hits the earth, or melt it quickly when it hits the ground. As the surface temperature of the earth continues to rise, it’s already impacting snowfall patterns and amounts. Temperature is obviously the major factor in whether precipitation falls to the ground as snow, ice, or rain. See full report Global warming and its impact on snow This report provides a primer on the climatology of snow and includes resources on how to report on snow-or the lack of it-in your area. The changing patterns of how much, when, and where snow falls have significant impacts on our climate, our economy, and our lives. We also compared total snowfall from the 1970s to the 2010s and ranked the 20 cities with the biggest percentage gains and losses, using endpoint analysis. Winter showed a mixed record, with more snow in northern climates, and decreasing snow in the southern regions. Results from 145 locations show that 116 stations (80%) had decreased snowfall before December, and 96 stations (66%) had decreased snowfall after March 1. In almost all areas of the country, snow is decreasing in the “shoulder” seasons-fall and spring. While no single overall national trend in snowfall can be discerned from the results, clear regional and seasonal patterns do emerge. Snow keeps our planet cooler, significantly affects water resources, and is a revealing indicator of climate change.įorecasting snowfall and determining long-term trends of snow climatology are inherently challenging, but the research team at Climate Central has produced an analysis of snowfall trends across the United States. ![]() Peach colored boxes are winter weather advisories and pink boxes are winter storm warnings.Whether you live among palm trees or pine trees, snow plays a critical role in our climate. Radar loop courtesy of Iowa Environmental Mesonet (IEM). The system finally pushed east of the region round 7am Monday morning. This long duration winter storm resulted in snowfall totals between 9 and 15 inches across the Metro Detroit area, with slightly lower amounts across the Thumb and Saginaw Valley regions (3-6 inches). Better moisture arrived by mid-afternoon resulting in heavier snowfall rates (up to an inch per hour in some locations). Snow began in the southern counties around 1am Sunday and continued throughout the day on Sunday. Then came the storm that ended up dropping over a foot of snow at Detroit Metro Airport!Ī strong low pressure system developed across the Great Plains and drifted across lower Michigan on Sunday and Sunday night. Up through the end of January, areas were below normal for snowfall compared to the record breaking winter season of '13-'14. Over the past few months, the area had managed to avoid a lot of the snow while other states have not had such luck. February started off quite active, as a long duration snow event unfolded across the region bringing the first significant snowfall to Southeast Michigan this winter season.
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