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X-Snow

Scientists don’t yet understand snow–and that limits our ability to predict and manage our freshwater resources. Our changing climate impacts the timing, quantity, quality, distribution, and persistence of snow. Instruments on satellites and aircraft can’t collect all the data scientists need near mountains or forests.

The X-Snow project needs your on-the-ground help to measure the snow depth in the Catskills and Adirondack Mountains to assess how snowfall there varies through time and space. They will work with your reports to develop more sensitive tools for characterizing snowpack and make better use of NASA data.

Go to Project Website about X-Snow

ages

18 and up; high school classes encouraged

division

Earth Science

where

New York and New England, Outside

launched

2025

What you’ll do

  • Respond to the 'Contact Us' button on the website to join the project. 
  • Choose a protocol (set of instructions) and participate in a 30-minute online training and Q&A session. 
  • When there’s snow on the ground, collect your data, and make a report!

Requirements

  • Time: There are three tiers of protocols you can choose from, depending how much time you have to spend on the project. A 30-minute online training for Tiers 1 and 2; additional training is available for Tier 3.
  • Equipment: Tier 1 requires a thermometer, yardstick, smartphone. Tier 2 and 3 equipment provided by project.
  • Knowledge: None. The trainings will teach you all you need to know. 

Get started!

  1. Collect and report data any time you have snow! The project investigates both fresh and aging snow.
  2. Visit the project website.
  3. Choose your protocol (Tier 1 - sample at one site; Tier 2 - sample 3-10 sites in a line; Tier 3 - sample plus dig a hole in the snow - a “snowpit” - and characterize the layers revealed). 
A stick-figure white snowflake on a blue circle is partly eclipsed by a red "X." Underneath is the word "X-Snow."
X-Snow
A man in a baseball hat stands next to a projected image of snow-dusted evergreen trees with snow-capped peaks in the background. Eight mostly grey-haired people sit in chairs facing the man, their colorful winter coats draped over their chair backs.
Project scientist Dr. Marco Tedesco presents at a volunteer training in the Catskills of New York.
Image credit: Margie Turrin

Learn More

Learn more about the challenges of understanding the complex relationship between climate, snow, and groundwater in this short article. You’ll also be introduced to SnowEx, another NASA-sponsored project investigating the mysteries of snow.

A man in a baseball hat stands next to a projected image of snow-dusted evergreen trees with snow-capped peaks in the background. Eight mostly grey-haired people sit in chairs facing the man, their colorful winter coats draped over their chair backs.
Project scientist Dr. Marco Tedesco presents at a volunteer training in the Catskills of New York.
Image credit: Margie Turrin

Get to know the people of X-Snow!

Portrait photo of a man wearing glasses

Marco Detesco

Lamont Research Professor

Visit X-Snow Website
Portrait photo of a smiling woman standing in front of a wall displaying data charts

Margie Turrin

Director of Education Field Programs

Visit X-Snow Website
Portrait photo of a young smiling woman with long dark hair

Marisa Anunziato

Education and Outreach Coordinator

Visit X-Snow Website