The California Nevada Applications Program (CNAP) and the California Climate Change Center (CCCC) aim to develop and provide better climate information and forecasts for decision makers in California, Nevada and the surrounding region. By working directly with users, CNAP and CCCC are working to evaluate climate information needs and utility from the user perspective.
Projected monthly Snow Water Equivalent (amount of water contained within the snowpack). These data layers were downscaled using a bias correction and spatial downscaling (bcsd) approach and include data for four different models (PCM1, CCSM3, GFDL, CNRM) for two different scenarios (A2, B1).
In order to create data layers used in this visualization tool, we have averaged each month of each year (1950-2099) by decade. This process was done for each model for both the A2 and B1 scenarios. Lastly we have averaged the decadal results for all four models to create the "all" models category.
Zoom to the full extent of California
Change the opacity of the overlay
Using the Area Selection Type Menu to the left, edit types of selection areas:
Select various chart options in the dropdown menus to the right, which can include Month, Model, and Temperature ranges (High, Low, or Average).
Note: The first set of chart options control the variables being viewed on the map.
Click "Add Chart" to create an additional chart to compare with. After creating the new chart, click on a new area of the map to view a chart for the same options in another location. Or change an option in the dropdown menu to view the chart for the same location, with different settings.
To edit the first chart again, either directly edit the dropdown menus, or click on the Location Name and then click on a new location on the map.
Click "Predefined boundaries" in the Area Selection Type Menu to the left before clicking on an area of the map, if you'd like to compare counties to one another.
Fix the locations of the graphs to one area by clicking this toggle.
If heat-trapping emissions continue unabated, more precipitation will fall as rain instead of snow, and the snow that does fall will melt earlier, reducing the Sierra Nevada spring snowpack by as much as 70 to 90 percent.
How much snowpack will be lost depends in part on future precipitation patterns, the projections for which remain uncertain. However, even under wetter climate projections, the loss of snowpack would pose challenges to water managers, hamper hydropower generation, and nearly eliminate skiing and other snow-related recreational activities.
If global warming emissions are significantly curbed and temperature increases are kept in the lower warming range, snowpack losses are expected to be only half as large as those expected if temperatures were to rise to the higher warming range.
Use the slider bar to the left to visualize the projected change insnow water equivelence, as seen in the low and higher emissions scenarios. Adjust the options below to view different models, and months.
Create a chart by clicking a location on the map and altering one of the dropdown option boxes.
Create a chart by clicking a location on the map and altering one of the dropdown option boxes.
The data presented in this tool represent a projection of potential future climate scenarios, they are not predictions. These data are meant to illustrate how the climate may change based on a variety of different potential social and economic factors. The default visualizations in this tool are comprised of the average values from a variety of scenarios and models. Find out more about climate change data.
This information is being made available for informational purposes only. Users of this information agree by their use to hold blameless the State of California, and its respective officers, employees, agents, contractors, and subcontractors for any liability associated with its use in any form.
This work shall not be used to assess actual coastal hazards, insurance requirements, or property values and specifically shall not be used in lieu of Flood Insurance Studies and Flood Insurance Rate Maps issued by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Data Set Contributed: Projected Snow Water Equivalent
Projected monthly Snow Water Equivalent (amount of water contained within the snowpack). These data layers were downscaled using a bias correction and spatial downscaling (bcsd) approach and include data for four different models (PCM1, CCSM3, GFDL, CNRM) for two different scenarios (A2, B1).
2011 April 12
Continued global warming will increase pressure on California’s water resources, which are already over-stretched by the demands of a growing economy and population. Decreasing snowmelt and spring stream flows coupled with increasing demand for water resulting from both a growing population and hotter climate could lead to increasing water shortages. By the end of the century, if temperatures rise to the medium warming range and precipitation decreases, late spring stream flow could decline by up to 30 percent. Agricultural areas could be hard hit, with California farmers losing as much as 25 percent of the water supply they need.
2011 April 13
Continued global warming will have widespread implications for winter tourism. Declines in Sierra Nevada snow pack would lead to later starting and earlier closing dates of the ski season. Toward the end of the century, if temperatures rise to the lower warming range, the ski season at lower and middle elevations could shorten by as much as a month. If temperatures reach the higher warming range and precipitation declines, there might be many years with insufficient snow for skiing and snowboarding. Decreases from 40 to almost 90 percent are likely in end-of-season snowpack under high emissions scenarios in major ski resorts.
2011 April 13
Climate change may significantly affect the operation of California's electric power system, in both the demand and supply sides. As temperatures rise, electricity demand will also increase to meet air conditioning and other cooling requirements. This in turn will further escalate the emission of greenhouse gases and the air pollution due to use of unclean sources of energy.
