![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5IjGD2y_mMPxKUHJ0KJ7yOJVbyIl3d69gOXL0ZVNh-FdfCw-GHc4MXMiqGOBUSnQdCB5envf0pZkjiIgueoiEGeeuk3E4wKYxhGKmNAcdFLz1OcnCGui6dAV5otYU-fNp64RK/s320/arizona_tmo_2009093.jpg)
Colorado has seen 9 dust storms already this year, darkening of the snowpack leading to early melting, a shortened spring ski season, and rapid, early snowmelt. Whew!
Most of the dust comes from Arizona, and it's worse this year than any in recent memory, probably due to years-long drought and higher than normal winds.
[right, April 3 dust storm in NE Arizona. NASA MODIS satellite image]
The dust storms have been wild. We've had two that decreased visibility so much that we couldn't seen the ridges on the other side of the valley.
ReplyDeleteWe had a senior thesis a few years ago that collaborated with a group researching the effect of dust on snow melt in the San Juans. Dust really makes the snow disappear fast.