Sign on

SAO/NASA ADS Physics Abstract Service

· Find Similar Abstracts (with default settings below)
· Reads History
·
· Translate This Page
Title:
Adaptation and Sustainability of Western U.S. Ski Areas in the 21st Century With a Changing Climate
Authors:
Lazar, B.; Williams, M. W.
Affiliation:
AA(Stratus Consulting, Inc., 1881 Ninth Street, Suite 201, Boulder, CO 80302, United States ; ), AB(University of Colorado, Boulder, INSTAAR and Dept. of Geography, Campus Box 450, Boulder, CO 80309, United States ; )
Publication:
American Geophysical Union, Fall Meeting 2008, abstract #C32A-08
Publication Date:
12/2008
Origin:
AGU
AGU Keywords:
0736 Snow (1827, 1863), 0798 Modeling
Abstract Copyright:
(c) 2008: American Geophysical Union
Bibliographic Code:
2008AGUFM.C32A..08L

Abstract

We evaluate how climate change resulting from increased greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions may affect snow coverage for two case studies: Aspen Mountain and Park City Mountain in the years 2030, 2075, and 2100. Snow coverage was evaluated using the Snowmelt Runoff Model. We evaluated climate changes using MAGICC/SCENGEN and the output from five General Circulation Models (GCMs). We bracketed potential climate changes by using the relatively low, mid-range, and high GHG emissions scenarios: B1, A1B, and A1FI. To obtain higher resolution climate change estimates, we spatially downscaled projections using a regional climate model (RCM, MM5), and a statistical downscaling model (SDSM). By 2030, temperatures are estimated to increase 1.8 to 2.5 oC at Aspen Mountain and Park City Mountain, for all GCMs and emission scenarios. The length of the ski season is estimated to decrease by approximately 1 to 1.5 weeks at both ski areas, and the snowline is estimated at 2275 m. In 2100, temperatures are projected to increase 2.9 to 9.4 oC at Aspen Mountain and 4.2 to 8.9 oC at Park City Mountain. The snowline is estimated at 2800 to 2900 m at both ski areas for the A1B and B1 scenarios, and 3100 to 3200m for the A1FI scenario. Here we address questions of adaptation and sustainability of ski areas in the face of these challenges. We address snowmaking, water availability, low-flow scenarios for streams draining ski areas, location of base areas, need for expansion to higher elevation areas, and other adaptation measures.
Bibtex entry for this abstract   Preferred format for this abstract (see Preferences)
   

Find Similar Abstracts:

Use: Authors
Title
Keywords (in text query field)
Abstract Text
Return: Query Results Return    items starting with number
Query Form
Database: Astronomy
Physics
arXiv e-prints