Research Finds Snowfall on Decline Across Northern Hemisphere

Study by Mississippi State University researchers shows shrinking snow coverage and earlier spring melt.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A new peer-reviewed study by faculty at Mississippi State University has found that significantly more areas across the Northern Hemisphere are losing snow cover than gaining it, with a noticeable seasonal shift towards earlier spring melt. The research, published in the Journal of Hydrometeorology, examined satellite data to determine regional snow cover trends, revealing about 24% of regions analyzed show declines compared to 9% showing increases.

Why it matters

This research builds on the team's previous work and provides a statistically rigorous, hemispheric-scale assessment of snow presence trends using decades of satellite data. The findings have important implications for understanding the impacts of climate change, including potential effects on water resources, ecosystems, and human activities dependent on reliable snowfall.

The details

Led by Jonathan Woody, associate professor in MSU's Department of Mathematics and Statistics, and Jamie Dyer, dean of the College of Integrative Studies and professor of meteorology and climatology, the researchers used a two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics to analyze snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere. They found the strongest overall declines in Europe and central Asia, while parts of central Canada and the northern Great Plains showed increases. The team also observed a general shift towards less persistent snow, with the southern edge of seasonal snow cover retreating in many areas.

  • The study was published in January 2026 in the Journal of Hydrometeorology.
  • The researchers analyzed satellite data collected between 1967 and 2021.

The players

Jonathan Woody

Associate professor in the Department of Mathematics and Statistics at Mississippi State University and lead author of the study.

Jamie Dyer

Dean of the College of Integrative Studies and professor of meteorology and climatology in the Department of Geosciences at Mississippi State University, and co-author of the study.

JiaJie Kong

Researcher at the University of California, Berkeley and co-author of the study.

Penelope Prochnow

Recent graduate of Mississippi State University with a bachelor's degree in Data Science, who contributed substantially to the research and now works as a data scientist in Huntsville, Alabama.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We studied a new high-resolution Rutgers University Global Snow Lab Northern Hemisphere Weekly Snow Cover Extent Data Record. Using a two-state Markov chain model with periodic dynamics to analyze snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere, we can see how trends vary both geographically and seasonally.”

— Jonathan Woody, Associate professor, Department of Mathematics and Statistics, Mississippi State University (Mirage News)

“Climate datasets are inherently complex. By combining statistical expertise with climate science expertise, we ensure that trends are not artifacts of data bias or methodology.”

— Jamie Dyer, Dean, College of Integrative Studies, and professor of meteorology and climatology, Department of Geosciences, Mississippi State University (Mirage News)

What’s next

The team plans to continue their research, exploring the potential impacts of the observed snow cover trends on water resources, ecosystems, and human activities in the affected regions.

The takeaway

This study provides crucial insights into the effects of climate change on snow cover across the Northern Hemisphere, highlighting the need for continued interdisciplinary research and collaboration to better understand and address the complex challenges posed by a changing climate.