Colorado News Connection

Eric Mack

DENVER – You might not know it from the major winter storms that have hit parts of the Rockies this winter, but Colorado’s winter tourism industry is under threat. A new report from the National Wildlife Federation says global warming is part of the reason for the unusual winter weather in the West. Climate scientist and report author Dr. Amanda Staudt says powder enthusiasts should be especially concerned.

“Aspen Mountain could see a 2400-foot rise in the snow line, which is as far as the snowpack extends down the mountain. And if that happens, many of the base areas at that mountain won’t even have any snow.”

Explanations for wacky weather can get complicated. A report in the journal Science this week explains that water vapor in the atmosphere plays a role in global warming. It may intensify, or sometimes moderate, the heating effects of carbon pollution. Staudt says El Nino is another factor scientists are investigating.

“If you go back and look at the data over the last century, we haven’t seen any trend in our El Ninos, we haven’t seen a big change in them. Right now, the science is out on that question and it’s an area where people are actively looking.”

Her report, “Oddball Winter Weather: Global Warming’s Wake-Up Call for the Northern United States,” is online at www.nwf.org. Staudt says the analysis of weather trends underscores the importance of cutting carbon pollution that has been connected to warmer global temperatures. According to NASA, 2009 is the second warmest year on record for the world.

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