Exploring The El Niño/Southern Oscillation Effect on Snow Water Equivalent Distribution Throughout Montana’s Watersheds

Abstract

The phase and severity of the El Niño/ Southern Oscillation (ENSO) is major factor controlling temperature and precipitation variability in the state of Montana. This paper will use SNOTEL site data to determine whether this cycle has a different effect on snowfall in some of the Montana’s mountainous watersheds. NRCS (Natural Resource Conservation Service) watershed groups were subjected to both ANOVA and Tukey HSD test to determine statistically significant differences for both phase and severity.