Differentiated Response of Snowpack to Climate Change at Local Scale

Abstract:

Local factors such as topography, aspect, elevation or local wind can significantly affect the spatial distribution of snow. This study intends to understand the effect of these factors and model a differentiated response of snowpack to climate change at small scale. In order to accomplish this objective, a network of wind, temperature and humidity sensors has been deployed in two different ski areas of the Pyrenees to monitor and analyze the effect of local factors on these variables. Moreover, snow depth and density, snowmaking working and time-lapse imagery of slopes will be analyzed during a winter season in order to better understand the snowpack changes and distribution due to local factors and the technical work on the ski resorts. The main aim of this study is to better understand the differentiated response of the snowpack at small scale considering local factors in order to improve and enhance the efficiency of the present daily management for example in ski resort areas and the planning of future adaptation strategies to climate change.