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Multi-decadal changes in snow characteristics in sub-Arctic Sweden
Cecilia Johansson1, Veijo A Pohjola, Christer Jonasson
1Department of Earth Sciences, Uppsala University, Sweden. Cecilia.Johansson@met.uu.se
Ambio
|September 30, 2011
Summary
Swedish sub Arctic snowpack is changing, with more hard snow layers observed over 49 years. These shifts, linked to warming temperatures, impact ground-level snow conditions, affecting plants and animals.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Climate Science
- Ecology
Background:
- Long-term snow profile data from the Swedish sub-Arctic provides a unique resource for analyzing climate change impacts.
- Understanding snow characteristics is crucial for predicting ecosystem responses to changing environmental conditions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze a 49-year dataset of snow profile stratigraphy in the Swedish sub-Arctic.
- To identify changes in snow characteristics such as grain size, hardness, compactness, and dryness over time.
- To investigate the potential ecological implications of observed snowpack alterations.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of a 49-year snow profile stratigraphy dataset (1961-2009) from the Swedish sub-Arctic.
- Data collection included weekly observations of snow grain size, layer hardness, grain compactness, and layer dryness.
- Statistical analysis to identify trends and significant changes in snow characteristics across three distinct time periods.
Main Results:
- A significant increase in very hard snow layers was observed over the 49-year study period.
- Snow hardness increased in early winter, while snow moisture content increased during spring.
- A notable rise in very hard snow at ground level was recorded, particularly between 1993 and 2009, more than doubling compared to earlier periods.
- Observed changes in snow characteristics are strongly correlated with increasing temperatures at the beginning and end of the winter season.
Conclusions:
- The Swedish sub-Arctic snowpack is undergoing significant changes, characterized by increased hardness and altered seasonal moisture content.
- Warming temperatures, particularly during shoulder seasons, are the most probable drivers of these observed snowpack alterations.
- The increased frequency of hard snow at ground level has potential significant implications for sub-Arctic flora and fauna, necessitating further ecological impact studies.
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