Snow Research with Arctic Communities Deepens Understanding of Arctic Climate

The Cryosphere, 17 August 2022

Bringing together observational research with local indigenous knowledge, this study identifies three interlocking factors that control snow accumulation in the Alaskan Arctic: elevation, vegetation, and terrain. Snow is commonly found at high elevations in areas with low temperatures and high precipitation. Tall shrubs and other plants provide an essential protective barrier, shielding snow from strong winds that could blow it away. Similarly, the sloped banks near rivers, lakes, and streams block the wind and trap snowdrifts in the lower regions of the basin. Snow plays a vital role in the health of local and global climate systems. The distribution of snow controls water availability, soil moisture, and temperature; and affects all components of an ecosystem, from animal populations to permafrost stability. Rising winter temperatures and earlier snowmelt hinder animal migration patterns and restrict habitats, jeopardizing local communities that rely on these delicately-balanced ecosystems. Authors conducted this study in partnership with Mary’s Igloo, Sitnasuak, and Council Native Corporation, who all provided guidance and permitted researchers to conduct this study on their traditional lands along the Seward Peninsula of Alaska. The findings from this study underscore the importance of reducing emissions to curb temperature rise and provide Arctic and sub-Arctic communities with time to prepare for future changes in frozen freshwater resources.

https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/3269/2022/