Study indicates climate change escalates snow droughts
A recent study has indicated that global warming is expected to lead to an increase in the frequency of snow droughts in the future.
TroibNews 
A recent study highlights that global warming is expected to lead to an increase in the frequency of snow droughts in the future.
Conducted by researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Snow droughts are defined as situations where the seasonal snowpack is abnormally low. They can be categorized as "dry," which results from below-normal winter precipitation; "warm," caused by higher temperatures that result in rain instead of snow or early snowmelt even when precipitation levels are normal; and "compound," which combines aspects of both dry and warm conditions.
In their analysis, the researchers utilized multi-model climate projections to examine long-term trends in the frequency of snow droughts under different emissions scenarios. The findings indicate a significant increase in snow drought events anticipated by the end of the century. By 2100, the frequency of snow droughts could triple under the intermediate SSP2-4.5 scenario and quadruple under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario compared to the baseline established in 1981.
Notably, future trends are expected to be predominantly characterized by warm snow droughts, potentially making up around 65 percent of all snow drought events by 2050. Under the SSP5-8.5 pathway, the frequency of warm snow droughts could increase by 6.6 times, while the occurrence of compound dry-warm events, which pose significant risks to ecosystems and water infrastructure, may rise by 3.7 times.
The research also indicates that mid- and high-latitude regions are likely to experience more frequent and severe snow droughts.
According to the study, these results provide crucial scientific data to support the development of water security strategies and climate adaptation initiatives globally.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
Conducted by researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, part of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the study was published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters.
Snow droughts are defined as situations where the seasonal snowpack is abnormally low. They can be categorized as "dry," which results from below-normal winter precipitation; "warm," caused by higher temperatures that result in rain instead of snow or early snowmelt even when precipitation levels are normal; and "compound," which combines aspects of both dry and warm conditions.
In their analysis, the researchers utilized multi-model climate projections to examine long-term trends in the frequency of snow droughts under different emissions scenarios. The findings indicate a significant increase in snow drought events anticipated by the end of the century. By 2100, the frequency of snow droughts could triple under the intermediate SSP2-4.5 scenario and quadruple under the high-emission SSP5-8.5 scenario compared to the baseline established in 1981.
Notably, future trends are expected to be predominantly characterized by warm snow droughts, potentially making up around 65 percent of all snow drought events by 2050. Under the SSP5-8.5 pathway, the frequency of warm snow droughts could increase by 6.6 times, while the occurrence of compound dry-warm events, which pose significant risks to ecosystems and water infrastructure, may rise by 3.7 times.
The research also indicates that mid- and high-latitude regions are likely to experience more frequent and severe snow droughts.
According to the study, these results provide crucial scientific data to support the development of water security strategies and climate adaptation initiatives globally.
Camille Lefevre for TROIB News
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