Global Warming in New Mexico

Because of global warming, snow will come later and more precipitation in the winter will likely fall as rain (Rocky Mountain Climate Organization).

Scientists believe that in New Mexico, global warming will lead to more heat, less snow, less water from melting snow, and more drought—jeopardizing the quality of life for our children and their children.

Because of global warming, the climate is already changing in the American West. The West has seen larger temperature increases than any other part of the country. In some areas temperatures have already risen by 1-2°C over the past century—much more than the average change globally of +0.5°C.

The Earth's predicted warming, rather than being uniform, is expected to be greatest at higher elevations and during winter and early spring. These changes will have a great effect upon our climate sensitive industries such as agriculture, tourism, and skiing.

With global warming, snowlines will shift up the mountain as temperatures rise—this model predicts snowlines in the Pacific Northwest will rise from 3,000 to 4,100 ft. with a 2°C rise. Similar changes will occur in New Mexico.

With global warming, snowlines will shift up the mountain as temperatures rise—this model predicts snowlines in the Pacific Northwest will rise from 3,000 to 4,100 ft. with a 2°C rise. Similar changes will occur in New Mexico. Over the coming century, a further rise in temperatures will cause snows to come later in the year, melt sooner, and fall higher on the mountains, causing snowpack will decline. Climate change models predict reductions in most Western snowpacks over the coming decades.

This is particularly concerning for New Mexico. In the coming few years many cities like Albuquerque and Santa Fe will rely on snowpack as a major source of water. Some studies have predicted that surface water from snowmelt may decline by four percent by mid-century.

A longer and hotter warm season in New Mexico will likely result in longer periods of extremely low flow and lower minimum flows in late summer. Severe drought coupled with warmer temperatures would adversely affect crop and rangeland production as well as resulting in a significant loss of aquatic habitat. Habitat suitable for coldwater fish (e.g., trout) is expected to shrink, with replacement by warm water fish species. Extinction rates of many endemic species of the Eastern plains are expected to increase and riparian ecosystems are expected to experience losses and decline, with a reduction in species diversity.

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