DRI contributes to research that predicts a major decline in California’s snowpack by the end of the 21st century.
Making it Snow: A Brief History and Review of the Science Behind Cloud-Seeding
The snow-inducing technique called cloud-seeding has been around for more than 60 years. Although not a panacea for drought-stricken regions, cloud-seeding can increase seasonal precipitation by about 10%. In the Reno area alone, winter cloud-seeding efforts are estimated to add enough water to supply about 40,000 households for a year.
Understanding Rain-on-Snow Events with Anne Heggli
Rain-on-snow events are the focus of DRI’s Anne Heggli, who is studying ways to improve our ability to forecast and prepare for these potentially hazardous storms.
Wildfires Are Increasingly Burning California’s Snowy Landscapes and Colliding with Winter Droughts to Shrink California’s Snowpack
A DRI-led team examined what happens to mountain snowpacks when sunny, midwinter dry spells occur in forests impacted by severe wildfire.
Spring Sunny Heat Waves Caused Record Snowmelt in 2021, Adding to Severe Water Supply Impacts Across the Western U.S.
DRI researchers examined the role of spring heatwaves on the snowmelt rates of mountain snowpacks across the West.
Heading to the mountains? The Living Snow Project needs your help
Murray, Nieminen, Collins, Christopher, and Lundin at DRI are studying snow algae as part of the Living Snow Project – a collaboration between DRI and Robin Kodner and her team at Western Washington University.
Study Develops Framework for Forecasting Contribution of Snowpack to Flood Risk During Winter Storms
A new study provides the first framework for a snowpack decision support tool that could help water managers prepare for potential flooding during rain-on-snow events, using hourly data from existing snow monitoring stations.
“Mountain Rain or Snow” Seeks Citizen Scientists and Winter Storm Reports
Mountain Rain or Snow is launching a project where citizen scientists like you can submit observations of rain, snow, and mixed precipitation via your smartphone, laptop, desktop, tablet, or any other device with a browser.
New DRI projects for 2021 include microplastics, microfossils, snowmelt risk, and solute transport
New DRI projects for 2021 include microplastics, microfossils, snowmelt risk, and solute transportFEB 26, 2021RENO & LAS VEGAS, NEV.Introducing the winners of DRI's 2021 Institute Project Assignment (IPA) competition.Each year, the Desert Research Institute awards...
Forest fires accelerating snowmelt across western U.S., new study finds
Kelly Gleason, assistant professor of environmental science and management at Portland State University, and crew head out in a recently burned forest to collect snow samples. Credit: Kelly Gleason/Portland State University RENO, Nev. (May 2, 2019) - Forest...