Warm winter show unexpected influence on permafrost

The lack of precipitation (snow) and the high temperatures measured in the winter 2006/2007, showed in part unexpected influence on the permafrost in the european alps. On steep mountainwalls, with no snowcover, the swiss team leaded by Dr. Hölzle measured rising temperatures caused maybe by the increased insolation. In the Eiger nord-wall (2.800m s.l.) the temperatures rised well above 0°C during April, with temperatures +4°C above the mean of the last years. On flat landscape, the missing snowcover in contrast provides no isolation against the cold winterair, the temparure drops in the first meters of the ground. The mean temperature was -1°C under the mean temperature from 2003.

Source: mbe/AP

Homepage Dr. Hölzle