White Christmas is defined here as having at least an inch of snow on the ground on Christmas Day. In addition, the analysis includes the record highest snow depth in each city on Christmas Day. But as the world warms, the overall area of North America covered by snow is decreasing. One reason is because an increasing percentage of winter
moreAs the world warms, the overall area of North America covered by snow is decreasing. One reason is because an increasing percentage of winter precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow in many locations. A Climate Central report found that between sea level and 5,000 feet in elevation across the Western U.S., a smaller percentage of winter
moreWinter is the wet season in California, and the amount of rain and snow that has fallen across the Golden State in the past few months has been phenomenal, building up the mountain snowpack that is so crucial to the state’s water supplies.The much-needed soaking was what was expected last winter, when an exceptionally strong El Niño was in full
moreAs the world warms, the overall area of North America covered by snow is decreasing. One reason is that an increasing percentage of winter precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow in many locations. A Climate Central report found that between sea level and 5,000 feet in elevation, a smaller percentage of winter precipitation is falling as s
moreAs the world warms, the overall area of North America covered by snow is decreasing. One reason is that an increasing percentage of winter precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow in many locations. A Climate Central report found that between sea level and 5,000 feet in elevation, a smaller percentage of winter precipitation is falling as
moreAs the world warms, the overall area of North America covered by snow is decreasing. One reason is that an increasing percentage of winter precipitation is falling as rain instead of snow in many locations. A Climate Central report found that between sea level and 5,000 feet in elevation, a smaller percentage of winter precipitation is falling as
morePhenomenal amounts of rain and snow have fallen over California in the past seven days. All the rain and snow have cut deeply into California’s multi-year drought, particularly in the northern two-thirds of the state. But while these storms brought a major blast of drought relief, it will take continued precipitation to end the drought that’s
moreCalifornians are about to hear a phrase that’s been rarely uttered during the five-year drought that’s dogged the state: atmospheric river. A band of moisture extending from the central Pacific to the Golden State’s shores and mountains will bring rain totals measured in feet and snow totals measured in yards. While it remains to be seen if 2017
moreWhat a difference a year and a shift in weather patterns makes: This time last year, drought was spread across the entire Pacific Northwest, but a spate of storms has wiped out much of it and could give cities like Seattle and Portland their wettest Octobers on record. The shift in weather fortunes could be related to an emerging La Niña. How clim
moreHere is my outlook for the upcoming winter season for Colorado! The El Niño/La Niña pattern of warm or cold water in the equatorial Pacific has shifted to neutral phase. Sea surface temperatures have cooled since late last spring, indicating that the El Niño event has ended. It is still too early to know if this will eventually shift to La Niña,
moreIn the fall, we often expect to wake up to frost-covered windows, but a warming world is altering the average time when we first see those mornings occur. The frost-free season, defined as the stretch between the last 32°F reading in the spring and the first 32°F reading in the fall, has increased in length over the past 30 years, with both an
moreSierra Nevada snowpack is melting quickly, sending water flowing into nearby rivers and reservoirs. This is the normal cycle for snowmelt, but research by the California Department of Water Resources has found that it’s now happening sooner in the season. This means there’s a larger gap between peak runoff and peak demand
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