The structure and composition of mountain ecosystems depend critically on when snow cover disappears and on when water availability becomes limiting.  Most assessments of climate change demonstrate a strong understanding of the former, e.g., warmer temperatures and earlier snow melt, but a weak understanding of the latter.

Results/Conclusions

To accurately model the spatial patterns and timing of late-summer streamflow and water availability, we must understand 1) the spatial distribution of snowfall and resulting snowpack heterogeneity; and 2) the frequency, locations, and intensity of summer precipitation, mainly thunderstorms.  Here, we present innovative monitoring techniques and modeling approaches of varying complexity to learn more about these processes.