Authors: Elizabeth Burakowski, Alix Contasta—University of New Hampshire; Joshua Beneš, Anna Grunes—University of Vermont; Jordan Clayton, Heather Hofman, Cara McCarthy, Melissa Webb—NRCS; Scott McKim—SUNY-Albany; Georgia Murray, Sarah Nelson, Kyler Philips—Appalachian Mountain Club; Chris Nadeau—Schoodic Institute; Erika Rowland—Forest Stewards Guild
Title: Northeast Snow Survey (NESS): A feasibility study to develop an automated snowpack and climate monitoring network in the northeast United States
Abstract: Winter is the fastest warming season East of the Mississippi River, with winter warming hotspots (greater than +2.5ºC since 1970) concentrated in the northeastern United States. Over the past 100 years, the region has lost 2-3 weeks of sustained winter conditions across low elevations and some high montane areas. Most of what we know about winter climate change in the northeastern US comes from low-elevation weather stations in populated areas, with a scarcity of snowpack and weather observations across elevational gradients in more remote locations. This differs from the western U.S., where the Natural Resources and Conservation Service Snow Telemetry (SNOTEL) network monitors snowpack, weather, and other climate elements at over 900 automated stations and provides critical data for hydrological monitoring and water resource management. The Northeast Snow Survey (NESS) Feasibility Study was funded in the FY 2023 federal omnibus bill to identify interest-holder needs for snowpack and weather monitoring and design a station network with a supporting maintenance and operations plan for the northeastern U.S. to meet those needs. During the first phase of the feasibility study, we have solicited input from interest-holders via surveys, workshops, and interviews. Respondents represented diverse interests including researchers (climate, ecology, wildlife), forecasters (hydrology/flood, weather, avalanche), land managers (forestry, agriculture, wildlife, infrastructure, outdoor recreation), environmental educators and individual recreationists. We are currently conducting a data survey to collate all relevant sources of snowpack and weather data in the region to assess spatial gaps, identify high priority areas for potential network station locations, and evaluate the suitability of candidate locations for fulfilling network objectives. We look forward to hearing from the CIROH community about how this northeastern automated snowpack and climate monitoring network could support their research, forecasting, management, and other interests.