Impact of Climate Change on Snowfall Patterns in Gothic, Colorado
Billy Barr, a 'citizen scientist,' has been measuring snow and weather data in Gothic, Colorado for over 50 years. His data reveals the impact of climate change on snowfall patterns, which is crucial for water resources in the drought-stricken Southwest. Despite being unpaid, Barr's contributions have informed scientific papers and helped calibrate snow sensing tools. He hopes that high-tech water forecasting tools will lead to unconventional solutions for managing water resources.
Key Points
- Billy Barr, a 'citizen scientist,' has been measuring snow and weather data in Gothic, Colorado for over 50 years.
- Barr's data reveals that snow is arriving later and disappearing earlier as the world warms, impacting water resources in the Southwest.
- Despite being unpaid, Barr's data has informed scientific papers and helped calibrate snow sensing tools.
- Barr hopes that high-tech water forecasting tools will lead to unconventional solutions for managing water resources.
Pros
- Long-term data collection by citizen scientists like Billy Barr provides valuable insights into the impact of climate change on snowfall patterns.
- Barr's data has informed scientific papers and helped calibrate snow sensing tools, contributing to a better understanding of the environment.
Cons
- The changing snowfall patterns due to climate change pose a threat to water resources in the drought-stricken Southwest.