On a walk in Holmedalen in Rauma, a white figure appeared. – Suddenly it was right in front of us. It was so visible. I’ve only seen gray cat twice, and both times they’ve been white, without snow, says Runi Neergaard. The røyskatten looks for its winter jacket when the days get darker. It goes from having brown to white fur. A coat that is preferably a little thicker to cope with the cold. But there hasn’t been anything particularly cold this winter yet, and that’s not good news for the roe cat. Changing too early – It is negative that it changes too early, because they become more visible. So says researcher Nina E. Eide, at the Norwegian Institute for Natural Sciences (NINA). She says that there are several species that change color during the year. Both coot, hare, grouse and arctic fox. – It needs to change color to be more camouflaged in relation to its surroundings, says the researcher. Some of the animals do it to be able to hunt more easily. While other animals do it to make it easier to hide. But without snow, this becomes difficult. Eide thinks this is bad news. – There is not much research into it, but over time this will have consequences. A winter’s day in Ålesund in 2021. We will see fewer of these, according to a researcher at the Meteorological Institute. Photo: Øyvind Sandnes / news Aerial photo Less snow and more rain Because winter is getting shorter and shorter. In Oslo and Tromsø, the winters have been shortened by 22 days. – Climate change is making it increasingly warmer, and thus also increasingly shorter winters and less snow, says Reidun Gangstø Skaland, researcher at the Meteorological Institute. She explains that they then look at the number of days with an average temperature below 0 degrees, and compare the normal period 1991 to 2020 with the previous normal period from 1961 to 1990. Reidun Gangstø Skaland, researcher in the climate department at the Meteorological Institute. Photo: Marit Kolberg / news – There has also been less and less snow. Even if we calculate an increase in precipitation with rising temperatures, more of the precipitation will come as rain instead of snow, says Gangstø. Calculations for the future show that, on average for the whole of Norway, the number of days with snowfall will decrease from 80 days to around 60 days by the middle of the century, explains the researcher and continues: – Then we use a medium emissions scenario which involves some reduction in emissions. If we use a high emissions scenario, which means that we do not cut emissions, then the number of days with snowfall by the middle of the century will only be 30 days. Overøystolen in Stordal on a beautiful winter’s day. Photo: Olaug Bjørneset / news
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Climate change can cause animals to switch to winter fur too early – news Møre og Romsdal – Local news, TV and radio
