The Changing Face of Arctic Snow Cover: A Synthesis of Observed and Projected Changes

ABSTRACT: Analysis of in situ and satellite data shows evidence of different regional snow cover responses to the widespread warming and increasing winter precipitation that has characterized the Arctic climate for the past 40–50 years. The largest and most rapid decreases in snow water equivalent (SWE) and snow cover duration (SCD) are observed over maritime regions of the Arctic with the highest precipitation amounts. There is also evidence of marked differences in the response of snow cover between the North American and Eurasian sectors of the Arctic, with the North American sector exhibiting decreases in snow cover and snow depth over the entire period of available in situ observations from around 1950, while widespread decreases in snow cover are not apparent over Eurasia until after around 19

SUBMITTER: Callaghan T 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3357780 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature