Hydroclimatology of the US Intermountain West

Auteur(s) et Affiliation(s)



Description :
This paper reviews key atmospheric and oceanic controls that impact the Intermountain West’s water supply, how those controls vary over multiple timescales, the tree-ring record of hydroclimatic variability in the region, projected climate change impacts, and research needs for the future. Water availability in the Intermountain West (IMW) is largely influenced by interrelated atmospheric features. The tree-ring record in the IMW indicates that there have been droughts in the past that were more severe than those experienced in the historical record. Climate model projections of future moisture-related changes, including decreased snowpack and changing seasonality of precipitation, may exacerbate strain on the region’s water supply. Advances in climate modeling and in our understanding of climate variability over multiple time and space scales would improve capacity for water resource management in the Intermountain West.


Type de document :
Article de périodique

Source :
Progress in physical geography, issn : 0309-1333, 2012, vol. 36, n°. 4, p. 458-479, nombre de pages : 22, Références bibliographiques : 4 p.

Date :
2012

Editeur :
Pays édition : Royaume-Uni, London, Sage Publications