WIIE Lab has contributed to a new study published in the Journal of Hydrology, “Climate change both increases and decreases winter snowmelt across North America.” The study reveals a striking north–south contrast: some northern regions are projected to experience winter snowmelt increases exceeding 60%, while southern snow-dominated areas may see declines approaching 40%.
Using climate projections and hydrological analyses, the research shows that warming does not produce a uniform response across snow-covered landscapes. Temperature primarily controls the magnitude of snowmelt change, while the available snowpack and future precipitation patterns help determine whether winter snowmelt increases or decreases in a particular region.
These findings highlight the complexity of climate change impacts on water resources and the need for region-specific adaptation strategies. Changes in winter snowmelt can affect river flows, water supply, flood risk, and ecosystem health, underscoring the importance of understanding how different regions will respond to a warming climate.
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