How will climate change affect winter recreation in Michigan?
Climate Models that by the end of this century Michigan will be experiencing warmer winters than present, although the degree of warming differs amoung the models; Global Climate Models (GCMs) do not provide country level output. In locations where weather conditions are such that it is more than sufficiently cold enough to snow, a warming of a few degrees Celsius may not have a significant impact on winter recreation. However, in areas farther south, warming could seriously jeopardize the existence of many winter recreational sports. Snowmobiling and cross country skiing may be particularly vulnerable because these sports have not been traditionally supported by using machine-made snow. There are just too many miles of trails to cover. Impacts on downhill skiing may not be as large, particularly as snow-making technologies improve.
NEXT TOPIC: What was the motivation for doing the study and for developing a tool for downhill skiing?
LIST OF THE TOPICS IN THIS SECTION (KEY QUESTIONS)
- How will climate change affect winter recreation in Michigan? (You are here)
- What was the motivation for doing the study and for developing a tool for downhill skiing?
- How will the Winter Recreation Tool be helpful?