Alpine Climatology of Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park is a topographically diverse region, making localized effects of elevation, aspect, and cold air drainage several of many important factors that necessitate a diversity of long-term climate monitoring sites. Additionally, many studies have shown more rapid warming at higher elevations across the Intermountain West, but with relatively few high-elevation stations available in the region it’s difficult to estimate the magnitude of these changes along with the suite of potential impacts on montane to alpine ecosystems. Here we use our network of valley to high-elevation meteorological stations that are arrayed across Glacier National Park, and have been in operation since 1993, to identify trends and variability in biophysically important hydroclimatic metrics. We also take a closer look at potential surface feedback processes associated with the presence or absence of snowpack, and specifically the timing of its meltout.
Glacier National Park is a topographically diverse region, making localized effects of elevation, aspect, and cold air drainage several of many important factors that necessitate a diversity of long-term climate monitoring sites. Additionally, many studies have shown more rapid warming at higher elevations across the Intermountain West, but with relatively few high-elevation stations available in the region it’s difficult to estimate the magnitude of these changes along with the suite of potential impacts on montane to alpine ecosystems. Here we use our network of valley to high-elevation meteorological stations that are arrayed across Glacier National Park (Fig 1), and have been in operation since 1993, to identify trends and variability in biophysically important hydroclimatic metrics. We also take a closer look at potential surface feedback processes associated with the presence or absence of snowpack, and specifically the timing of its meltout. Change and variability in metrics such as temperature, wind, net solar radiation, snow depth/cover, and relative humidity are assessed at daily to decadal scales and will be integrated into ongoing projects monitoring changes in alpine vegetation, snowpack, and glacier mass balance. These data are essential for ongoing ecological monitoring and modeling projects, addressing wildlife habitat and disease related issues, and informing current and potential future resource management practices.
Project Description
Meteorological measurements have been collected at the listed sites for various periods of time since 1993. This site will post annual summaries for currently operating stations.
Available Station Summaries (USGS Archive):
- Apgar Mountain Station
- Bowman Station
- Garden Wall Station
- Lee Ridge (High) Station
- Lee Ridge (Low) Station
- Logan Visitor Center Station
- Mount Brown Station
- Nyack Camp Station
- Nyack Closed Canopy (Down) Station
- Nyack Closed Canopy (Up) Station
- Nyack Hayfield Station
- Nyack Island Station
- Nyack Loneman Station
- Nyack Movie Road Station
- Otokomi Station
- Shed 7 Station
- Snow Moon Station
- Snowslip Station
- Sperry Station
- Stanton Station
- Sun Point Station
Link to other climate sites
Current GNP weather data
Climate Analysis Tools (USGS Archive)
Long-Term Snowpack Variability and Change in the North American Cordillera (USGS Archive)
NOAA weather
GNP Webcams
Glacier National Park is a topographically diverse region, making localized effects of elevation, aspect, and cold air drainage several of many important factors that necessitate a diversity of long-term climate monitoring sites. Additionally, many studies have shown more rapid warming at higher elevations across the Intermountain West, but with relatively few high-elevation stations available in the region it’s difficult to estimate the magnitude of these changes along with the suite of potential impacts on montane to alpine ecosystems. Here we use our network of valley to high-elevation meteorological stations that are arrayed across Glacier National Park, and have been in operation since 1993, to identify trends and variability in biophysically important hydroclimatic metrics. We also take a closer look at potential surface feedback processes associated with the presence or absence of snowpack, and specifically the timing of its meltout.
Glacier National Park is a topographically diverse region, making localized effects of elevation, aspect, and cold air drainage several of many important factors that necessitate a diversity of long-term climate monitoring sites. Additionally, many studies have shown more rapid warming at higher elevations across the Intermountain West, but with relatively few high-elevation stations available in the region it’s difficult to estimate the magnitude of these changes along with the suite of potential impacts on montane to alpine ecosystems. Here we use our network of valley to high-elevation meteorological stations that are arrayed across Glacier National Park (Fig 1), and have been in operation since 1993, to identify trends and variability in biophysically important hydroclimatic metrics. We also take a closer look at potential surface feedback processes associated with the presence or absence of snowpack, and specifically the timing of its meltout. Change and variability in metrics such as temperature, wind, net solar radiation, snow depth/cover, and relative humidity are assessed at daily to decadal scales and will be integrated into ongoing projects monitoring changes in alpine vegetation, snowpack, and glacier mass balance. These data are essential for ongoing ecological monitoring and modeling projects, addressing wildlife habitat and disease related issues, and informing current and potential future resource management practices.
Project Description
Meteorological measurements have been collected at the listed sites for various periods of time since 1993. This site will post annual summaries for currently operating stations.
Available Station Summaries (USGS Archive):
- Apgar Mountain Station
- Bowman Station
- Garden Wall Station
- Lee Ridge (High) Station
- Lee Ridge (Low) Station
- Logan Visitor Center Station
- Mount Brown Station
- Nyack Camp Station
- Nyack Closed Canopy (Down) Station
- Nyack Closed Canopy (Up) Station
- Nyack Hayfield Station
- Nyack Island Station
- Nyack Loneman Station
- Nyack Movie Road Station
- Otokomi Station
- Shed 7 Station
- Snow Moon Station
- Snowslip Station
- Sperry Station
- Stanton Station
- Sun Point Station
Link to other climate sites
Current GNP weather data
Climate Analysis Tools (USGS Archive)
Long-Term Snowpack Variability and Change in the North American Cordillera (USGS Archive)
NOAA weather
GNP Webcams