The new normal

[ColbertWatcher]

From the Los Angeles Times
Dust storms speed snowmelt in the West
An unusually high number of the storms has left a film of dust on the Rocky Mountain snowpack, causing it to melt earlier and forcing farmers to adjust. This could be the new normal, scientists say.
By Nicholas Riccardi

May 24, 2009

(...)

Twelve dust storms barreled into the southern Rockies from the deserts of Arizona, Utah and New Mexico so far this year. In contrast, four storms hit the mountains all year long in 2003. Eight occurred in each of the last three years.

(...)

{Director of the Snow Optics Lab at the University of Utah, Thomas} Painter has found that dust can speed up snowmelt by as much as 35 days -- in other words, snow that would normally disappear by May 15 would instead be gone by April 10.

Ever since European settlement of the West, there has been dust, caused by outside forces breaking the fragile crust that holds undisturbed desert soil in place. Initially, grazing cattle kicked up the dust. Scientists say it is now more likely to be caused by off-road vehicles, mountain bikers or energy exploration. In a study last year, Neff found that the amount of dust in the Rockies is five times greater than before the late 19th century.

"This is really the story of the wholesale transformation of the West," Painter said.

(more at the link)

--Los Angeles Times

[imdjh]

1. the sky is falling

[QueenOfCalifornia]

2. That reminds me...

I need to wash my car. :)

[azmouse]

3. AZ wants its dust back.

[QueenOfCalifornia]

4. Okay....

I'll drive my car over and sweep it off in AZ. :rofl:

[azmouse]

5. Thank you very much.

If you see any errant tumbleweeds send them back too! :)

[QueenOfCalifornia]

6. Why hell...

I'll even donate California tumbleweeds to Arizona... It's the nice thing to do. :)

[azmouse]

7. I'm proud to call you neighbor!

:)

[reggie the dog]

8. Dust kicked up by mountain bikers?

am I missing something? The tiny bit of dust that flys up off of the trail and then settles back down again is causing snowmelt higher up? I am responsable for the alps melting earlier because I ride a mountain bike in the south of France?

[QueenOfCalifornia]

9. Of course...

you are solely responsible for the way my stomach reacts to hot salsa too. :)

[ColbertWatcher]

10. Apparently the same bikers who caused the Dust Bowl in the 1930's. n/t