Barroll et al. (2026) Teleconnections and Topography: How Snowpack Prediction Using Sea Surface Temperature Varies within the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Identification

• Journal: Journal of Climate
• Year: 2026
• Date: 2026-08-03
• Authors: Jeremy Barroll, Ben Livneh, Andrew C. Winters
• DOI: 10.1175/jcli-d-25-0633.1

Research Groups

• University of Colorado Boulder, Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences
• National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR), Climate and Global Dynamics Laboratory
• University of California, Los Angeles, Department of Geography

Short Summary

This study investigates the relationship between sea surface temperature (SST) and snowpack prediction in the Colorado Rocky Mountains. The authors found that SST anomalies in the Pacific Ocean can predict snowpack accumulation in the region with high accuracy.

Objective

• Investigate the teleconnections between SST and snowpack prediction in the Colorado Rocky Mountains

Study Configuration

• Spatial Scale: Regional scale, focusing on the Colorado Rocky Mountains
• Temporal Scale: Annual to decadal timescales

Methodology and Data

• Models used: ERA5 global reanalysis dataset
• Data sources: Satellite-derived sea surface temperature (SST) data from the Extended Reconstructed Sea Surface Temperature (ERSSTv5)

Main Results

• The study found a significant correlation between SST anomalies in the Pacific Ocean and snowpack accumulation in the Colorado Rocky Mountains.
• The authors identified three distinct patterns of SST-SWE relationships across mountain slopes and elevation bands.
• They also assessed the predictability of SWE using cross-validation and evaluated alternate lead times.

Contributions

• This study provides new insights into the teleconnections between SST and snowpack prediction in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, which can inform climate predictions and water resource management decisions.

Funding

• National Science Foundation (NSF) Grant #1854173
• National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Grant #NA17OAR4310279

Citation

@article{Barroll2026Teleconnections,
  author = {Barroll, Jeremy and Livneh, Ben and Winters, Andrew C.},
  title = {Teleconnections and Topography: How Snowpack Prediction Using Sea Surface Temperature Varies within the Colorado Rocky Mountains},
  journal = {Journal of Climate},
  year = {2026},
  doi = {10.1175/jcli-d-25-0633.1},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.1175/jcli-d-25-0633.1}
}