| Abstract: | The highly variable timing of streamflow in snowmelt-dominated basins across western North America is an important consequence, and indicator, of climate fluctuations. Changes in the timing of snowmelt-derived streamflow from 1948 to 2002 were investigated in a network of 302 western North America gauges by examining the center of mass for flow, spring pulse onset dates, and seasonal fractional flows through trend and principal component analyses. Statistical analysis of the streamflow timing measures with Pacific climate indicators identified local and key large-scale processes that govern the regionally coherent parts of the changes and their relative importance. Widespread and regionally coherent trends toward earlier onsets of springtime snowmelt and streamflow have taken place across most of western North America, affecting an area that is much larger than previously recognized. These timing changes have resulted in increasing fractions of annual flow occurring earlier in the water year by 1-4 weeks. The immediate (or proximal) forcings for the spatially coherent parts of the year-to-year fluctuations and longer-term trends of streamflow timing have been higher winter and spring temperatures. Although these temperature changes are partly controlled by the decadal-scale Pacific climate mode [Pacific decadal oscillation (PDO)], a separate and significant part of the variance is associated with a springtime warming trend that spans the PDO phases. ?? 2005 American Meteorological Society. |
| Genre: | Article |
| ProdID: | 70029010 |
| Citation Author: | Stewart, I. T.; Cayan, D. R.; Dettinger, M. D. |
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| Citation End Page: | 1155 |
| Citation Issue: | 8 |
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| Citation Language: | English |
| Citation Larger Work Title: | Journal of Climate |
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| Citation Number Of Pages: | 20 |
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| Citation Search Results Text: | Changes toward earlier streamflow timing across western North America; 2005; Article; Journal; Journal of Climate; Stewart, I. T.; Cayan, D. R.; Dettinger, M. D. |
| Citation Start Page: | 1136 |
| Citation Volume: | 18 |
| Citation Year: | 2005 |
| Type: | citation/reference |
| Text: | Changes toward earlier streamflow timing across western North America; 2005; Article; Journal; Journal of Climate; Stewart, I. T.; Cayan, D. R.; Dettinger, M. D. |
| URL (THUMBNAIL): | http://pubs.er.usgs.gov/thumbnails/outside_thumb.jpg |
| URL (DIGITAL OBJECT IDENTIFIER): | http://dx.doi.org/10.1175/JCLI3321.1 |
| Date Other: | Sat, 1 Jan 2005 00:00 -0600 |
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