NASA MODIS Image of the Day: January 30, 2007 – Snow Conditions in the European Alps
This image of the European Alps was captured on January 13, 2007 by the MODIS on the Terra satellite. If you run your mouse over the image, you will see what the Alps looked like exactly 1 year early, on January 13, 2006. This January has seen less snowfall that last, as well as unseasonably mild temperatures in the Alps.
According to the Washington Post, those involved in Europe’s ski industry are concerned about the effect of long-term climate change. Favorable weather for skiing does seem vary by year. The 1989-1990 ski season was not good, with the first snow not arriving until January 27, while last year was the best season some resorts, like France’s Megeve, had had in decades. This year looks to be bad, with many professional ski races in Italy, France, Switzerland, Finland and Norway, canceled due to the warm temperatures and lack of snow.
