Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US

Sara A. Rauscher; Jeremy S. Pal; Noah S. Diffenbaugh; Michael M. Benedetti

Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US

Sara A. Rauscher, Jeremy S. Pal, Noah S. Diffenbaugh, Michael M. Benedetti

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

Abstract

We use a high-resolution nested climate model to investigate future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff (SDR) over the western US. Comparison of modeled and observed daily runoff data reveals that the regional model captures the present-day timing and trends of SDR. Results from an A2 scenario simulation indicate that increases in seasonal temperature of approximately 3° to 5°C resulting from increasing greenhouse gas concentrations could cause SDR to occur as much as two months earlier than present. These large changes result from an amplified snow-albedo feedback driven by the topographic complexity of the region, which is more accurately resolved in a high-resolution nested climate model. Earlier SDR could affect water storage in reservoirs and hydroelectric generation, with serious consequences for land use, agriculture, and water management in the American West.

Original language	American English
Journal	Geophysical Research Letters
State	Published - Aug 1 2008

Keywords

climate change

Disciplines

Environmental Sciences

Access to Document

Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the westernFinal published version, 1.04 MBLicense: CC BY

https://digitalcommons.lmu.edu/es-ce_fac/5

Cite this

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title = "Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US",

abstract = " We use a high-resolution nested climate model to investigate future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff (SDR) over the western US. Comparison of modeled and observed daily runoff data reveals that the regional model captures the present-day timing and trends of SDR. Results from an A2 scenario simulation indicate that increases in seasonal temperature of approximately 3° to 5°C resulting from increasing greenhouse gas concentrations could cause SDR to occur as much as two months earlier than present. These large changes result from an amplified snow-albedo feedback driven by the topographic complexity of the region, which is more accurately resolved in a high-resolution nested climate model. Earlier SDR could affect water storage in reservoirs and hydroelectric generation, with serious consequences for land use, agriculture, and water management in the American West.",

keywords = "climate change",

author = "Rauscher, {Sara A.} and Pal, {Jeremy S.} and Diffenbaugh, {Noah S.} and Benedetti, {Michael M.}",

note = "Rauscher, S. A., J. S. Pal, N. S. Diffenbaugh, and M. M. Benedetti (2008), Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16703, doi:10.1029/2008GL034424.",

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T1 - Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US

AU - Rauscher, Sara A.

AU - Pal, Jeremy S.

AU - Diffenbaugh, Noah S.

AU - Benedetti, Michael M.

N1 - Rauscher, S. A., J. S. Pal, N. S. Diffenbaugh, and M. M. Benedetti (2008), Future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff timing over the western US, Geophys. Res. Lett., 35, L16703, doi:10.1029/2008GL034424.

PY - 2008/8/1

Y1 - 2008/8/1

N2 - We use a high-resolution nested climate model to investigate future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff (SDR) over the western US. Comparison of modeled and observed daily runoff data reveals that the regional model captures the present-day timing and trends of SDR. Results from an A2 scenario simulation indicate that increases in seasonal temperature of approximately 3° to 5°C resulting from increasing greenhouse gas concentrations could cause SDR to occur as much as two months earlier than present. These large changes result from an amplified snow-albedo feedback driven by the topographic complexity of the region, which is more accurately resolved in a high-resolution nested climate model. Earlier SDR could affect water storage in reservoirs and hydroelectric generation, with serious consequences for land use, agriculture, and water management in the American West.

AB - We use a high-resolution nested climate model to investigate future changes in snowmelt-driven runoff (SDR) over the western US. Comparison of modeled and observed daily runoff data reveals that the regional model captures the present-day timing and trends of SDR. Results from an A2 scenario simulation indicate that increases in seasonal temperature of approximately 3° to 5°C resulting from increasing greenhouse gas concentrations could cause SDR to occur as much as two months earlier than present. These large changes result from an amplified snow-albedo feedback driven by the topographic complexity of the region, which is more accurately resolved in a high-resolution nested climate model. Earlier SDR could affect water storage in reservoirs and hydroelectric generation, with serious consequences for land use, agriculture, and water management in the American West.

KW - climate change

M3 - Article

JO - Geophysical Research Letters

JF - Geophysical Research Letters

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