It is well known that the western United States including California, Oregon and Washington are experiencing record low levels of snow. It is not however, due to low precipitation levels but instead high temperatures; according to scientists at Oregon State University. Over 80% of the snow measurement sites in these states showed that the low snow levels were because of higher than average temperatures, suggested to be caused in part by greenhouse gases. 1977, the previous record low year for snow was due to not enough moisture in the air, not greenhouse gases. In 2015, 111 snow recording sites showed the April 1 value at zero, meaning there was no snow by that time. This data showed that the California and Oregon snowpack was 90 percent below average.
Researchers ran multiple simulations with lower greenhouse gas levels to imitate preindustrial time as well as greenhouse gas emissions from 2014 and the results of snow levels correlated, the preindustrial time having more snow fall. This data disproves statements that the western states are simply having dry months. The rise in temperatures is in part caused by greenhouse gases and needs to be corrected. Low levels of snowfall contribute to California's multi year drought.
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