Snow cover
What is happening to snow cover in Australia?
Observations show a decline in snow depth in Australia's alpine region over the last 50 years, although there is a great deal of annual variability.
Source: Climate variability, climate change, and the Australian snow season, Neville Nicholls
Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, in Australian Meterology Magazine 54:177-185, Figure 2
Bureau of Meteorology Research Centre, in Australian Meterology Magazine 54:177-185, Figure 2
Figure shows time series of maximum snow depth (broken line) and snow depth at first observation in October (solid line) at Spencers Creek. Linear trends indicated with thick lines.
Observed snow cover trends
- Warming trends are slightly greater at higher elevations.
- Over the past 50 years there has been a small increase in alpine precipitation in New South Wales, and a small decrease in Victoria.
- Some alpine sites have shown a weak decline in maximum snow depth over the period 1957-2002. Close analysis at one site indicates a 10% decrease in snow depth since 1962.
- Some alpine sites have shown a moderate decline in mid-late season snow depths (August-September). Close analysis at one site indicates a 40% decrease in spring snow depth since 1962.
