Northern Hemisphere Snow Extent

Here is another one of the fallacies being put forward by the “Global Warming” crowd. The prediction by Al Gore and many others that more CO₂ will mean less snow is more alarmist propaganda.

Winter snow cover in the northern hemisphere has been overall increasing since satellite observations became available. That statement is valid for both North America and Eurasia (i.e.: these are not localized phenomena). Fall snowfall extents have also been increasing. Spring snow extents have been decreasing. However, 2017 had a large jump in snow cover and 2018 was slightly higher than 2017.

I wonder if they’re including the April snow in Saudi Arabia or the various significant snowfalls this winter through Northern Africa (i.e.: Morocco, the Sahara Desert, etc.). And before anyone starts whining that’s just weather, I understand the principle difference between weather and climate. One snowfall in the Sahara Desert is not indicative of climate change. However, this is the third year in a row that the snows have occurred, and the volumes have been increasing.

Exactly what you should expect heading into a Grand Solar Minimum. Is it proof that “Global Warming” is done. No, but it certainly doesn’t help the GW case. But if we want to talk weather versus climate, then you also have to disregard any pronouncements like 2016 was the hottest year ever. I actually believe that statement is true. However, that means nothing with respect to a climate discussion. The record applies only to the period from 1850 to Present.

The planet has been significantly warmer over many periods in its history. Over 80% of the planet’s history since abundant life developed has been roughly 10 °C higher than today’s temperatures. In addition, the 2016 high temperatures were due to a strong el Nino, which allowed us to beat the 1998 el Nino year by a whopping 0.02 °C. Ultimately, the weather events that occur in any particular year are meaningless. The long term trends (discussed earlier) dictate where the climate is headed.

Another good general site to see what’s happening with the global ice, snow, etc. is the Global Cryosphere Watch. A few of the charts are outlined and discussed below.

The chart of Northern Hemisphere snow extent was generated by Environment Canada. The 2017-18 winter snow extent is a bit on the high side but really not all that far from typical. The snow extent (April 7^th, 2018) moved out and past one standard deviation above the average 1998-2011 levels. The additional snow through April and May kept the curve at the +1 standard deviation level. The updated plot was not available.

But much like the discussion with Arctic sea ice cover, that chart doesn’t tell the whole story. Environment Canada also puts together a Snow Water Equivalent chart.

As you can see the amount of snow that has fallen is substantially higher than the 1998-2011 average. The Finnish Meteorological Institute puts out a similar chart (updated to July 2018) as shown below.

The Finnish Meteorological Institute chart for the Northern Hemisphere is very similar to the Environment Canada chart supporting the concept that total snow mass is increasing in the northern half of our planet.

The mainstream media doesn’t like to promote any stories that might bring into question “Global Warming”. So record colds, record snowfalls, etc. tend to be only broadcasted locally. There have been many record snowfalls and cold temperatures established over the last few years (despite the lack of reporting).