Colorado Plateau Dust-on-Snow: Adapting to The New Normal NWS Coordination Meeting Grand Junction November 22, 2013 Chris Landry CODOS Colorado Dust-on-Snow Program Center for Snow and Avalanche Studies Silverton, CO Event D6-WY2013 In Progress - April 8, Silverton Dust Event D8-WY2013 in Progress 12:00 noon, April 16, 2013 Senator Beck Basin, SASP April 22, gm/m 2 (419 lbs/acre) D8 D7 D6 Dust Storm of 60+ Hours Duration May 9, 2013 Hoosier Pass CODOS site May 10, Berthoud Summit CODOS site D8 D6 Dust-on-Snow Events are Extensive but Not Always Apparent CODOS Event Log by Season CODOS Event Log by Month J. Brahney, A.P. Ballantyne, C. Sievers, J.C. Neff. Increasing Ca2+ deposition in the western US: the role of mineral aerosols. Aeolian Research (2013),Increasing Ca2+ deposition in the western US: the role of mineral aerosols. The apparent trend is confirmed dust deposition is increasing Is Dust-Induced Surface Roughness Increasing Sublimation and/or Evaporation, and Reducing Runoff Yields? Yield Effects? Dust-on-snow, when exposed, lowers snow albedo and increases melt energy budget Dust deposition has increased more than 200% in Colorado since the 90s Water Year 2013 produced two extreme events (D6 April 8 th and D8 April th ) Dust-on-snow is causing erratic, flashy runoff; spring weather still matters The State Water Plan should address dust-on-snow impacts on Colorado runoff; snowmelt timing and/or rates are significantly departing from median hydrograph Dust-on-snow is also affecting snowmelt runoff yields; needs more research The New Normal May 5, 2013 looking west from Senator Beck Basin Colorado Plateau is the primary dust source area; soil disturbance and drought are key CSASs CODOS program is a stakeholder-driven effort to monitor and adapt to dust; Federal agencies are pursuing improved runoff forecasting and source area science