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Elizabeth Burakowski, UNH lead for Snow STORE, measures snow depth on Mount Washington in New Hampshire. Photo by Joe Klementovich.

Snow drives a multi-billion dollar winter recreation economy in northern New England, yet researchers and forecasters don’t have the nuanced, sophisticated snow and precipitation data the winter sports industry — and others — needs to thrive. 

To change that, UNH researchers are partners in a new regional project that will install snow monitoring equipment in the mountains of Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine. Called Snow STORE (Science and Technology for Operations, Research, and Economic Development in Northern New England), the University of Vermont-led project is funded by the National Science Foundation, with $2.6 million to UNH.

The snow stake atop Mt. Mansfield, Vermont's highest peak, has measured snow depth manually for decades.

“Our goal is to look at the impact of snow on our mountains, how it is changing, its effect on weather and flooding, and the science behind our changing snow,” says UNH principal investigator , research associate professor in the . “Typically, snow measurements are taken by hand; these new automated monitors will allow for more comprehensive and continuous measurements to gain a better understanding of change, provide data and a dashboard, and help forecast a wide variety of activity with our rivers, forests, and overall flooding incidents.”

Monitoring Snow Where It Matters

Burakowski adds that existing snow depth measurements are disproportionately concentrated at lower elevations and near population centers toward the southern part of the region, not in the winter tourism hotspots in the mountains. Snow STORE brings together collaborators in academia and industry from New Hampshire, Maine, and Vermont to enhance observations of mountain snowpacks at existing research sites and add instrumentation to new ones. Mount Washington Observatory, Wildcat Mountain Resort, and Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest are among the sites in the Granite State.

“Having more snow and precipitation measurements at higher elevations is a critical gap we’re filling,” Burakowski says.

Eleven institutions will collaborate to support four broad themes: 1) Advance snow and runoff modeling, 2) Enhance situational awareness of mountain weather, 3) Deliver actionable snow and weather data to decision-makers, and 4) Mobilize the outdoor recreation economy. 

Data to Decision-Makers

Not only will Snow STORE provide timely and accurate data to winter recreation areas, allowing outdoor recreation site operators to manage conditions more effectively, it will also deliver critical information on winter weather hazards and flooding. Other industries dependent on snow cover and snow melt, such as logging and farming, will also benefit. 

Burakowski and UNH hydrology and water resources researchers  and , both research assistant professors in the , are joined on the project by Extension Professor  and Associate Extension Professor . By developing a snow economy report, microcredentials, and training opportunities,  will ensure the data from Snow STORE serves decision-makers and supports a rural workforce.

The researchers note that SnowSTORE is the first monitoring system of its kind for the northeast. “For decades, western states have dominated snow research in the United States. This investment from NSF will supercharge northern New England snow studies,” said UVM’s Keith Jennings, the principal investigator on the project. 

In addition to UNH and UVM, SnowSTORE is supported by the University of Maine, Vermont State University Lyndon, and UMaine Farmington, and the non-profit Mount Washington Observatory. Additional partners include Ski Vermont, Ski NH, and Ski Maine Association; the Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative, New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation and Industry Development, and the Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation; the National Weather Service Burlington Weather Forecast Office and Northeast River Forecast Center; the Appalachian Mountain Club; and the Consortium of Universities for the Advancement of Hydrologic Science, Inc. 

Snow STORE is funded by the National Science Foundation program  Research Infrastructure Improvement: Focused EPSCoR Collaborations, which promotes scientific progress nationwide, specifically by establishing partnerships with government, higher education, and industry to create sustainable improvements in research.