Snow melts earlier in burned forests, the new study of scientific advances finds a study
The study led by researchers from Colorado School of Mines raises concerns concerning the risk of water supply
Golden, Colorado, September 17, 2025 (Globe Newswire) – Forest fires cause melting snow earlier in the western United States, and this effect would only be exacerbated by projected hot winters. It is according to a new study led by researchers from Colorado School of Mines published today in the journal Scientific advances.
The document, “Impact of current and warmer climatic conditions on the loss of snow blanket in burned forests,“” was written by Arielle Koshkin, doctoral student candidate in hydrological sciences and engineering; Adrienne Marshall, assistant professor of geology and geological engineering; And Karl Rittger with the Research Institute in Arctic and Alpine at the University of Colorado Boulder.
“When snow falls into burned forests, snow melts earlier, especially as the climate warms up,” said Koshkin. “This means that we get less water from these forests throughout the year. This is a big problem because people in the West of the United States are counting on the runoff of snow melting for their water. ”
The previous snow fusion in burned forests is the result of two processes, said Koshkin. The darker snow left by forest fires is less thoughtful, which absorb the snow and melt earlier. Second, burned forests often have less covering of trees, so there is more sun which reaches the snowpack.
Lower altitude regions such as the northwest Pacific and northern Sierra Nevada will be particularly affected. “These changes could make communities more difficult to manage their water supply,” said Koshkin.
The study was based on remote snow data collected by the Satellite Satellite of NASA moderate imaging imaging (Modis). Most previous studies on the subject have used ground measurement systems.
“The use of satellite data has allowed us to look at the entire west of the United States in a single study rather than a simple punctual scale in a forest,” said Koshkin. “This larger spatial scale has made it possible to compare and understand how the different regions react differently to the impacts on forest fires on snow.”
According to the study, 98% of wooded regions in the west of the United States could expect snowfall earlier after a fire. The situation is getting worse as average temperatures increase – with 2 ° C additional warming, the type of warming planned to support climate change, 86% of the snow area would experience a post -fire snow earlier compared to historically average conditions, depending on the study.
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