Snow research in SIOS

In Svalbard, the seasonal snowpack (including glaciers) covers ~60 to 100 % of the land surface in winter and summer, respectively. Changes in Arctic snow cover extent or snowpack properties have occurred in recent decades in response to high-latitude warming, and will likely continue in the future. This has important anticipated effects on different aspects of the Svalbard environment, including the mass budget of glaciers, surface hydrology, permafrost and terrestrial ecosystems.

Snow-related research is and will remain an important vehicle for monitoring and analysing the rate and effects of climate change in Svalbard. Thus, SIOS has initated several activities within the realm of snow.