Quantifying the role of internal climate variability in snow cover trends over northern Québec and Labrador

The climate of northern Quebec and Labrador is strongly influenced by natural variability on time scales ranging from years to decades. These internal modes of variability superimpose onto the anthropogenically forced global warming trend, thus making local climate variations difficult to anticipate in the short term. The communities living in Nunavik, Nunatsiavut and NunatuKavut are vulnerable to these changes, with food security in particular adversely impacted by diminished snow and ice cover from a warming climate. It is therefore a priority to better quantify natural variability in these regions to provide decision makers with the best available information for developing adaptation strategies. The objective of this project is to quantify the impact of internal climate variability on snow cover in northern Quebec and Labrador, which directly addresses a recommendation from the latest ArcticNet Integrated Regional Impact Study for Nunavik and Nunatsiavut.

Faculty Supervisor:

Martin Leduc;Rene Laprise

Student:

Partner:

Ouranos Inc

Discipline:

Earth science

Sector:

Accommodation and food services; Agriculture; Professional, scientific and technical services; Public administration

University:

Université du Québec à Montréal

Program: