Warming Climate, Decreasing Snowcaps

There is no question about it, the snowcaps of the Cascade Mountain Range are in danger. Far above sea level a danger lurks, if you are snow. A warming climate is responsible for the decrease in t he volume of snow all through out Washington and Oregon. At first there were skeptics, but after careful measurements were taken there was no question that there was shrinkage. As Mr. Cosela said, one degree Celsius warmer could mean 20% of the snow gone. It is hard to measure the amount of snow exactly because it is always changing. For example, the amount of snow in 1944 versus 1950 is so drastic it curves charts today. It is also shown that while El Nino occurs there is lower snowfall while La Nina occurs there is higher snowfall. While there will not be a lack of precipitation, there will be a lack of snow, much more of the precipitation will far more in the form of rain. now.

This has the chance to be one of the biggest impacting stories in the Pacific Northwest. This has the potential to be one of the biggest blows to tourism since Mt. St. Helens blew her top. With less snow, there is less space to ski; with less skiing no one will want to visit the Cascades’. When no one wants to visit the Cascades the revenue for Oregon and Washington will go down, forcing them to merge into a single state known as Washoregon.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/05/090512153335.htm

"Warming Climate Is Affecting Cascades Snowpack In Pacific Northwest." Science Daily: News & Articles in Science, Health, Environment & Technology. 15 May 2009. 18 May 2009 .