Reis et al. (2026) Rain‐on‐Snow Events Frequently Drive Peak Streamflow Across the Contiguous United States

⚠️ Warning: This summary was generated from the abstract only, as the full text was not available.

Identification

• Journal: Water Resources Research
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-06-26
• Authors: Wyatt Reis, Jeremy Giovando, Michael D. Bartles, Travis A. Dahl
• DOI: 10.1029/2025wr042253

Research Groups

• University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Civil Engineering
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR)

Short Summary

This study investigates the frequency and impact of rain-on-snow events on annual peak streamflows in the Contiguous United States, finding that these events contribute to approximately 16% of all annual peak streamflows between 1982 and 2023.

Objective

• Investigate the role of rain-on-snow events in shaping annual peak streamflows across the CONUS

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Continental scale (Contiguous United States)
• Temporal Scale: Long-term (1982-2023)

Methodology and Data

• Models used: Not specified, but likely utilized hydrological models to simulate snowmelt and runoff processes
• Data sources: Satellite data, observation records, and reanalysis products

Main Results

• Rain-on-snow events contribute to approximately 16% of all annual peak streamflows in snow-affected watersheds across the CONUS between 1982 and 2023.
• Substantial regional variability exists in the number and magnitude of rain-on-snow-influenced annual peak streamflows.

Contributions

• Provides new insights into the frequency and impact of rain-on-snow events on hydrologic processes, highlighting their importance for flood risk management, groundwater recharge rates, and snowmelt runoff duration.
• Highlights the need to consider changes in initial snowpack state and precipitation timing and phase when assessing flood risk and water supply.

Funding

• Not specified

Citation

@article{Reis2026RainonSnow,
  author = {Reis, Wyatt and Giovando, Jeremy and Bartles, Michael D. and Dahl, Travis A.},
  title = {Rain‐on‐Snow Events Frequently Drive Peak Streamflow Across the Contiguous United States},
  journal = {Water Resources Research},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1029/2025wr042253},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1029/2025wr042253}
}