Researchers at Oregon State University in the United States have introduced a new calculation method that improves the accuracy of measuring water content in snow and the duration of its storage. The findings were shared through a study published in Hydrology and Earth System Sciences.
The study reveals that the annual amount of water held in mountain snow across the lower 48 states declined by about 22 percent. It also notes a striking distribution: roughly 72 percent of snowpack water resides in the mountains, while those mountain regions occupy only about 16 percent of the land area. This highlights how a relatively small area contains a large share of the year-to-year water supply tied to snow. (Hydrology and Earth System Sciences) [citation].
The researchers identify this measurement as snow water storage. They argue that tracking snow water storage could become increasingly valuable for monitoring and forecasting water resource availability amid growing climate variability, helping water managers anticipate shifts in supply and plan accordingly. (Hydrology and Earth System Sciences) [citation].
One practical takeaway is the steadier pattern of annual rainfall compared with snowpack, which can soften concerns about universal drops in water reserves. Yet recent temperature increases have a pronounced effect on snow storage and, by extension, on the timing and quantity of available water. The new method provides a clearer picture of how temperature-driven changes in snow influence future water resources. (Hydrology and Earth System Sciences) [citation].
These insights contribute to a growing understanding of how mountain snow acts as a critical buffer for regional water supply. They also emphasize the need for accurate, ongoing measurement techniques that can adapt to climate shifts and inform decisions in water-stressed regions across Canada, the United States, and beyond. (Hydrology and Earth System Sciences) [citation].