News

map of snow survey locations

A legacy of snow science community: 40-years gamma SWE record

November 9, 2020 |

In the western U.S., 85% of freshwater runoff originates as snowmelt. In the north-central and northeast U.S., most significant floods of the 20th century were directly related to snowmelt. Thus, accurate, timely estimates of the snowpack are required to help monitor and manage seasonal snow and melt.

measuring snow in the yard

Measure the snow depth in your (actual) backyard with CoCoRaHS

October 9, 2020 |

While CSO collects valuable measurements from volunteers in the backcountry, NOAA is in vital need of accurate snow measurements from your house. Snowfall is just as variable where you live as it is in the high country, and you can collect measurements right from your own back yard and help make a difference.

colorado students

2019–2020 Winter Season Summary

June 9, 2020 |

Despite the unpleasant end to the winter season in the Northern Hemisphere due to COVID-19 pandemic, and that left many of us asking “To go or not to go into the backcountry?”, there were many wonderful things that happened to the Community Snow Observations project during the winter of 2019/2020.

NASA SNOWEX / CSO Collaboration

January 29, 2020 |

Measuring snow depth with a probe may not feel like rocket science, but it helps out NASA, so it actually is.

In the Field with Mountain Studies Institute!

December 18, 2019 |

At CSO, we get to develop partnerships with all kinds of interesting and inspiring organizations working to improve snow science and our understanding of mountain environments. The Mountain Studies Institute, in Silverton, CO, does an amazing job of advancing this understanding in western Colorado.