Long‐term observations of increasing snow cover in the western Cairngorms

Abstract

show that the period of time during which snow is continuously present in the catchment has increased significantly by 81 (±21.01) days over the 13 year period, and that this is largely driven by a significantly later melt date, rather than earlier onset of winter snow cover. IntroductionIt is commonly thought with so much publicity around increased global temperatures that there will be less snow cover in the Cairngorms as a result of global warming. This opinion is supported by previous studies (Harrison et al, 2000). However, as data from a long term monitoring site in the Cairngorms reveal there is in fact evidence of increased snow cover over the past 13 years.

Clinging on to alpine life: Investigating factors driving the uphill range contraction and population decline of a mountain breeding bird

“…The uphill range retraction documented for dotterel here could be attributable to reductions in the amount of snow lie at high elevations, if birds increasingly settle on higher sites previously ren- Andrews, Ives, & Dick, 2016). Moreover, we found no evidence of significant systematic alterations in snow lie across the study period (see Figure S2a in the Supporting Information).…”

“…Long‐term changes in snow cover are poorly documented in high‐elevation habitats in Scotland, which makes gaining insights into the potential importance of this mechanism challenging. Rivington et al (2019) noted a pronounced decline in snow cover at one site in the Cairngorms National Park between 1969 and 2005, but more recent increases in snow cover have been recorded at other localities in the National Park (2002–2013; Andrews, Ives, & Dick, 2016). Moreover, we found no evidence of significant systematic alterations in snow lie across the study period (see Figure S2a in the Supporting Information).…”

Snow cover duration and extent for Great Britain in a changing climate: Altitudinal variations and synoptic‐scale influences

“…Local topography influences exposure to prevailing airflow patterns and their effects on snow accumulation and snow melt. These interactions may explain apparently anomalous local variations; for example, recent observed trends (2002)(2003)(2004)(2005)(2006)(2007)(2008)(2009)(2010)(2011)(2012)(2013)(2014)(2015) towards increased snow duration in the western Cairngorms (Andrews et al, 2016) may be attributable to localized exposure to increased frequency of snow-bearing northwesterly and northern airflows.…”

Snow cover variability in Great Britain during a changing climate

“…An annual SSGB report was produced by UKMO between 1954 and 1992, providing a general synthesis (available from UKMO, ). Although the SSGB is now discontinued, local snow surveys have continued to be published, including from Fairfield (Cumbrian Fells: Johnson, ) and from the western Cairngorms using automated repeat photography (Andrews et al ., ). It should be noted that all these observed data contain a subjective component regarding presence of ‘snow cover’ and are susceptible to potential observer biases, as may occur with an over‐emphasis on specific aspects (e.g.…”

“…It has therefore been suggested, based on archived SSGB data, that a positive NAO index may have been associated with increased snow duration on some UK mountains (Brown, ), although whether this relationship still persists is unknown. Nevertheless, these topographic and synoptic‐scale interactions, often occurring on a multiyear and interannual timescale, may explain apparently anomalous trends found in shorter time series data, as with the recent observations of increasing snow cover in the western Cairngorms (Andrews et al ., ).…”