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Snowfall and Snow Cover
Introduction
The results of snow season studies reveal that El Niño and La Niña events have similar influences on snow cover in the fall and winter seasons but opposite influences in the spring and summer seasons. This indicates that ENSO-induced snow cover variations are greatest during the second half of the hydrological year (spring and summer). For Canada, the main impacts of El Niño events are (1) reduced winter and spring snow cover over the Prairie region; (2) reduced snow cover in B.C. during the spring and summer; and (3) increased summer snow cover in the central Arctic. The main impact of La Niña years on Canadian snow cover is increased snow cover frequency in all seasons over western Canada. For the United States, El Niño is associated with increased snow cover in most areas except for the continental interior, which experiences less snow cover in the winter and spring. During El Niño conditions, western Canada and parts of the northern United States have warm, mild winters. La Niña is associated with a strong east-west contrast (i.e., with decreased snow cover over the eastern United States and increased snow cover over the West).
Snow Anomalies During La Niña Winter
(Terra MODIS February 2002)
In March 1993 (a mild El Niño year), the eastern seaboard of the United States was hit with an enormous storm that canceled thoughts of an early spring. It crippled the eastern one-third of the nation, from Alabama to New England, with more than 40 inches of show in many locations. High winds, record cold temperatures, and even storm surges for coastal Florida added to the damage. The storm cost about $3 billion in damages and killed an estimated 270 people.
In January 1998, at least 2 long-lived and damaging ice storms hit the Northeastern States and southeastern Canada. Freezing rain gripped the northern parts of New York and Vermont, across New Hampshire, and most of Maine. In Canada about 4.5 million people lost power; the Northeast through New England reported over 500,000 customers without power. In the warmer lower Mississippi River Valley, heavy rains and severe flooding occurred in the mountains of North Carolina and northeast Tennessee, where up to 16 inches fell in a 2-day period. Overall ice damages approached $3 billion for Canada and were at least $1.4 billion for the United States; flood damages exceeded $15 million for western North Carolina and $20 million for eastern Tennessee.
Jump to 'Snowfall' List of Web Sites
Disclaimer: NASA offers these suggested sites for additional information regarding effects of El Niño and La Niña teleconnection events. Web access is required to reach these sites. Link existence and contents are not under the control of the EOSDIS Science Operations Office.
Snowfall Effects Web Sites