A new category of heat waves is melting western US snowpack faster

AI Summary

Scientists have identified a new category of heat waves, termed 'snow-eater,' which melt snowpack faster in the western US. This discovery highlights varying heat wave impacts on the environment and water resources.

Heat waves are not all created equal. While some bring dry heat that rapidly dries out crops, others carry a lot of moisture that can prevent sweat from evaporating off the skin. In new research published in the journal Science Advances, scientists have identified another type of heat wave that they call a "snow-eater."