Have you ever built a snowman ⛄ or gone sledding down a snowy hill? As fun as snow is, scientists are finding out that we might see less of it in the future! A new study says that climate change could make “snow droughts” happen more often.
What’s a Snow Drought?
A snow drought happens when there’s much less snow than usual during winter. This can be because there’s not enough precipitation (that’s rain or snow), or because it’s too warm, so the snow melts quickly or falls as rain instead.
The Study Findings
Researchers from the Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography under the Chinese Academy of Sciences studied snow droughts using special computer models. They looked at how often snow droughts might happen in the future if the Earth keeps getting warmer.
They found that by the end of this century, snow droughts could happen three to four times more often than they do now! This is especially true if we don’t reduce the amount of greenhouse gases we release into the air.
Types of Snow Droughts
- Dry Snow Drought: Not enough precipitation falls, so there’s less snow.
- Warm Snow Drought: It’s too warm, so snow melts quickly or falls as rain.
- Compound Snow Drought: A mix of both dry and warm conditions.
The study showed that warm snow droughts might become the most common type in the future.
Why Does This Matter?
Snow isn’t just for fun and games. When snow melts, it fills rivers and lakes that people and animals need for water. Less snow can mean less water in the spring and summer. This can affect farming, drinking water, and even the habitats of many creatures.
What Can We Do?
The good news is that knowing about this problem means we can help fix it! By taking care of our planet—like using less energy, planting trees, and recycling—we can make a difference. Every little action counts! 🌍💚
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
