Developing a Northeast Snowpack Climatology
The Northeast Regional Climate Center is working with Plymouth State University to develop a Northeast snowpack climatology that expands our understanding of the seasonal contribution of snow melt to water availability and potential drought in the region. The research team will validate and quality control NOAA/National Weather Service snow course data and associated metadata from across the Northeastern U.S. The team will then curate this quality controlled snow course dataset and format it for the National Weather Service’s and the Northeast Regional Climate Center’s (NRCC) hydrometeorological needs. The researchers will analyze the data and produce numerous climatological and operational products, including (but not limited to) a Snow Drought Index, daily mean snow depth and snow water equivalent (SWE) conditions for each site, and mean snow-out dates (i.e., when snow has melted out for the season).
These products will provide the necessary climatological context for National Weather Service staff to evaluate how real-time snowpack conditions will impact near-term, medium-range, and seasonal drought and flood risk. These improved hydrometeorological forecasts and seasonal outlooks will help stakeholders, state and local officials, and the public make timely and informed decisions regarding drought and flood risk, water resource management, and all other hydrometeorological operations.
Research Snapshot
Art DeGaetano, Northeast Regional Climate Center, Cornell University
Eric Kelsey, Plymouth State University
What to expect from this research
- Operationalize quality control routines to enable new data entered by cooperators—individuals who regularly measure SWE and snow depth at hundreds of locations across the Northeast—to be quality controlled in real time and in a manner consistent with the historical record.
- Develop a file transfer protocol and file format that allows the climatological values (mean snow-out dates, mean snow depth, mean SWE, etc.) to be available for real-time access via NRCC web applications.
- Develop operational products based on these data, including a Snow Drought Index.
- Link the climatological data files to real-time data collected by the NRCC and its cooperators, allowing the real-time observations of snow depth, SWE, and snow-out date to be compared to historical values.
- Develop and launch a website to produce seasonal real-time snow climatology graphics (charts and maps). Examples include weekly departure from normal and long-term trends. Make graphics available to NIDIS to support Northeast Drought Early Warning System drought status updates and other communications.
- Provide several opportunities for outreach to increase awareness, including presentations at conferences, hosting webinars, and virtual/hybrid presentations by request for stakeholders.
