The Alps have long been a mecca for Swedish sports holidaymakers, but the ski resorts are struggling to survive as a result of a warmer climate.
Tourists are renting bikes instead of skis. Swapping hot chocolate for cold beer. And too high temperatures and poor snow conditions put an end to the women's downhill and super-G World Cup races in Garmisch-Partenkirchen in early February. There are many signs that something fundamental is changing in the ski paradise in the Alps.
Concerns are growing about the effects of climate change in the sensitive Alpine region. Ski resorts at lower altitudes face particular challenges, with many already having to close for good.
”"All seasons are getting warmer as a result of the climate getting warmer. You also get a shift, the season with summer temperatures is getting longer while the winter and snow season is getting shorter," says Erik Kjellström, professor of climatology at SMHI.
”"Then there are big temperature differences in altitude, at high altitude the winter is longer. So it looks very different depending on whether you are down in the valleys or up at high altitude."”
A warmer climate leads to the air having a greater ability to contain more water vapor – which means both more evaporation and more precipitation.
”"This means that we can still expect it to snow heavily at times, perhaps even heavier than before due to the increased amount of water vapor in the atmosphere," says Kjellström.
”"However, as the winter season becomes shorter and rain becomes more common instead of snow, we expect snowfall and snow volume to decrease over time. In particular, there is expected to be less snow on the slopes, as it will melt from heat or rain."”
In many places, the ski season is kept going by artificial snow. 90 percent of the pistes in Italy, many of which are located at relatively low altitudes in both the Apennines and the Alps, rely on artificial snow. But it's not free and it also affects the environment.
Research has shown that ski resorts with large economic muscle, located at high altitudes and with north-facing slopes are better equipped to face the effects of climate change.
”"If you own a ski resort, you have to think about climate adaptation. You may have to shorten the season and you have to be more prepared for the fact that a lot of the snow may rain and melt away during the winter," says Kjellström.
”"Artificial snow is a possibility. However, it has an impact on both the climate and the environment; it costs a lot of energy to operate the snow cannons and it uses a lot of water. And even artificial snow can melt away when it gets warmer."”
Source: TT-DI.SE
