Over the past few years, Californians have seen first-hand the consequences of hotter-than-normal temperatures and a smaller-than-normal Sierra Nevada snowpack, including historically low reservoir levels, dying trees, and increased wildfire risk. You’ve probably wondered, “If things are like this now, what will they be like in the future, as the climate continues to change?”
UCLA Professor Alex Hall and his research team have set out to understand future impacts of climate change on the mountain landscapes we love—and the snowpack upon which California depends for its water resources. Using innovative techniques to bring global climate model projections to very high spatial resolution, the UCLA team has produced first-of-their-kind projections of future climate that capture the intricate physical processes affecting climate in the Sierra.
In this talk, Dr. Hall will present key findings from the study and discuss what they mean for decision-makers, resource managers, and anyone who cares about the fate of California’s iconic mountain range and its unique ecosystems.