Boner @Bontz just totally owned himself again!
What is the last state in the USA that will still have snow?
Alaska
will be the last state in the U.S. to have snow. While many high-elevation areas in other Western states will also retain snow and glaciers longer than lower-lying regions, Alaska's high latitude and vast, heavily glaciated mountain ranges make it the clear choice for the last remaining snow in the country.
Factors in Alaska's favor
Extreme northern latitude: Alaska extends well into the Arctic Circle, giving it vast areas that are extremely cold year-round. While glaciers are shrinking, the northern interior regions are projected to be more resilient to snowpack loss than southern coastal areas.
Widespread glaciers: The state has the largest concentration of glaciers in the United States, including Denali National Park, which contains over 400 glaciers. These permanent ice fields will be the very last to disappear, a process that will take centuries.
Resilience at high elevations: The highest elevations in Alaska, like those in the Alaska Range and the Chugach Mountains, will remain cold enough for glaciers and snowfields to persist long after snow has vanished elsewhere.
Comparison with other snowy states
While states like Colorado, Washington, and California have high-altitude glaciers and snowfields that will last for a long time, climate change is already significantly impacting them.
Why other contenders will lose their snow sooner
Vulnerable Western snowpack: The mountain snowpack in the Western U.S. has already declined significantly since the mid-20th century. Declines are projected to continue and will likely disappear from many areas entirely within the 21st century.
Southern states' mountains: While high-elevation peaks in states like Colorado and California will retain snow longer, they are still at lower latitudes than Alaska, making them more vulnerable to warming temperatures.
Glacial melt: Glaciers in the contiguous U.S. are already shrinking at an accelerated rate. Alaska's glaciers are also shrinking, but their immense size and extreme cold offer a buffer that other states simply don't have.
By
AK440 ·
