Snow cover (no further updates)

Description

Snow cover extent in the Northern Hemisphere has declined significantly over the past 90 years, with most of the reductions occurring since 1980. Snow cover extent has decreased by 7% on average in March and April and by 53% in June over the 1967–2012 period.
Snow mass in the Northern hemisphere has decreased by 7 % in March from 1982 to 2009; snow mass in Europe has decreased even more, but with large inter-annual variation.
Model simulations project widespread reductions in the extent and duration of snow cover in Europe over the 21st century.
Changes in snow cover affect the Earth’s surface reflectivity, water resources, the flora and fauna and their ecology, agriculture, forestry, tourism, snow sports, transport and power generation.

Reference information

Websites:

http://www.eea.europa.eu/data-and-maps/indicators/snow-cover-2/ds_resolveuid/VTF3S09ABI

Source:

EEA - Climate change, impacts and vulnerability in Europe 2012 report

Published in Climate-ADAPT Jun 7, 2016 - Last Modified in Climate-ADAPT Dec 12, 2023

Date of publication:

2016

Keywords:

CLIM008, snow cover

Climate impacts:

Ice and Snow

Adaptation elements:

Climate services, Observations and Scenarios

Sectors:

Agriculture, Biodiversity, Buildings, Energy, Forestry, Transport, Water management

Geographic characterisation:

Europe

Macro-Transnational region:

Adriatic-Ionian, Alpine Space, Atlantic Area, Baltic Sea, Central Europe, Danube Area, Mediterranean (Euro-Med), North West Europe, North Sea, Northern Periphery and Arctic, South West Europe, Black Sea Basin (NEXT), Mediterranean Sea Basin (NEXT)