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Snow cover (CLIM 008) - Assessment published Sep 2008: Snow cover in the northern hemisphere has fallen by 1.3 % per decade during the past 40 years. The largest losses are during spring and summer. Model simulations project widespread reductions in the extent and duration of snow cover in Europe over the 21st century. Changes in snow cover affect the Earth's surface reflectivity, river discharge, vegetation, agriculture and animal husbandry, tourism, snow sports, transport and power generation.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Snow cover
Living with Climate change: Global warming is happening. Temperatures have already risen by 0.76 degrees since the industrial revolution and are projected to rise further by 1.8 - 4 degrees by the end of the century. The last time climate change happened at this pace was 125,000 years ago and led to a 4-6 metre sea level rise. Global warming at the upper end of the scale predicted by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change would have catastrophic consequences for Europe. Up to 30% of plant, animal and bird species would be wiped out and the threat of natural disasters such as landslides, floods and mudslides would increase significantly.
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Rising snowline in the Alps: (This video has no audio.) It is estimated that, as global warming proceeds, regions currently receiving snowfall will increasingly receive precipitation in the form of rain. For every 1ºC increase in temperature, the snowline rises by about 150 metres. As a result, less snow will accumulate at low elevations. As a consequence, nearly half of all ski resorts in Switzerland, and even more in Germany, Austria and the Pyrenees, will face difficulties in attracting tourists and winter sport enthusiasts in the future. Source: EEA Report No 2/2004 "Impacts of Europe's changing climate" (published 18 Aug 2004)
Located in Environmental topics › Climate change › Multimedia
Trend in autumn, winter and spring snow cover extent over the Northern Hemisphere: The figure shows the mean autumn (September, October, November), winter (December, January, February) and spring (March, April, May) snow cover extent over the Northern Hemisphere in 1967–2011 with linear trends.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Adapting to climate change - SOER 2010 thematic assessment: Climate change is happening and will continue to have far-reaching consequences for human and natural systems. Impacts and vulnerabilities differ considerably across regions, territories and economic sectors in Europe. Strategies to adapt to climate change are necessary to manage impacts even if global temperature stays below a 2 °C increase above the pre-industrial level. The EU adaptation framework aims at developing a comprehensive strategy by 2013, to be supported by a clearinghouse for sharing and maintaining information on climate change impacts, vulnerability and adaptation.
Located in The European environment – state and outlook 2010 › Thematic assessments
Run-off and snow cover change up until the end of the 21st century in the winter, according to the CLM A1B scenario: Left: relative difference in water available for runoff
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Observed changes in (a) global average surface temperature, (b) global average sea level and (c) northern hemispheric snow cover for March-April: All changes are relative to the period 19611990
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Deviations of monthly snow cover extent over the northern hemisphere lands (including Greenland): Note: Deviations are compared to a 30 year average
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Deviations of seasonal snow cover (solid curve) versus deviations of temperature (dashed curve): Note: Deviations are compared to a 30 year average.
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs
Observed change in spring snow-cover duration 1970-2004: The map shows the observed change in spring snow-cover duration 1970 to 2004 covering the Northern Hemisphere
Located in Data and maps › Maps and graphs