Fun to research and write about the origin of snowflakes. Yes, every flake is “unique” since each is constructed of a gazillion water molecules, but scientists can grow “identical twin” snow crystals in the lab that you’d have trouble telling apart. snow.news/p/how-do-snowf…

A slow start for the snowpack here in Colorado, but the season is young. These graphics show snow water equivalent, a measure of the snowpack's water content. wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/ftpref/support… #snowpack #cowx

Fun to write about how scientists are using low-cost “snowtography” in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains to better understand how forest management affects the snowpack that so many people rely on. waterdesk.org/2023/11/scient…

Drought has re-emerged in the CO River Basin. A wet summer 2022 was followed by a wet winter/spring. But summer 2023’s monsoon was underwhelming. 5.6% of the Basin was in drought on July 18, 2023. It’s increased almost every week since to 39.1%. drought.gov/watersheds/col… NOAA

New post on snow.news includes an update on the West's snowpack and some rare good news from scientists about the future of snow. snow.news/p/white-friday… #snow #snowpack #cowx #skiing #snowboarding

(1/2) Let's talk snowpack! Our recent storm was very beneficial, and an example of why early season snowpack numbers (particularly % of Median) should be taken with a grain of salt. This plot shows data for the CO Headwaters basin (encompasses Grand & Summit Counties). #COwx

First 2023-24 Snow Drought Update Snow drought is most prevalent in the N. Rockies, Sierra Nevada, and parts of the Lower CO and Rio Grande River Basins. Storms have benefitted the Northwest and Great Basin, but warm snow drought is a concern. drought.gov/drought-status… NOAA

New post at snow.news explores the Winter Storm Severity Index, a helpful forecast that visualizes where snow, ice, and wind are expected to cause problems. snow.news/p/winter-storm… #wxtwitter #skiing #snowboarding #snowpack

The West's snowpack is looking better thanks to recent storms, but many basins are still below the median for snow water equivalent.

Mitch Tobin from snow.news highlighted our Intermountain West Climate Dashboard! "My favorite sites for tracking snow and the (subpar) snowpack." snow.news/p/my-favorite-… #climate #weather #water #precipitation #temperature #snow #streamflow #drought #sciencecommunication

Compared to 2023, the current water year might seem underwhelming. Despite overall drier conditions compared to last year, several basins in the CBRFC area are either nearing or at normal SWE levels for this time of year. #utwx #cowx #drought

New post at snow.news explores atmospheric rivers and explains why they can be both helpful and harmful. Scientists expect climate change will intensify these far-reaching weather events. snow.news/p/why-atmosphe… #cawx #snowpack #flooding #AtmosphericRiver

Snow water resources and water security are threatened by climate change. Check out this article by The Water Desk, which summarizes and contextualizes the present-day and future climate impacts on Western US water from our Water Chapter in #NCA5. waterdesk.org/2024/04/nation…

“The changes to #snow and snowpack are changes that we have more confidence in than just about any other water parameter because of the direct effect of warming on snowpack and snow precipitation,” says WWA Water Resources Specialist, Liz Payton. #climate waterdesk.org/2024/04/nation…

#Snowpack in the west is key for downstream water sources, but the region's supply is vulnerable to #ClimateChange. Check out this visual explainer from Mitch Tobin for The Water Desk: waterdesk.org/2024/04/nation…