Lasers in the sky: hi-tech missions track record snowpack loss in US west

High above the jagged peaks of California’s Sierra Nevada, the view from the cockpit is breathtaking. At first glance, the mountains appear draped in a pristine white blanket. But as the flight crew gears up for a high-stakes mission, the sensors onboard this specialized aircraft prove that looks can be deceiving. “This is a distinct dry year,” says Tom Painter, CEO of Airborne Snow Observatories. Painter, who developed this technology at Nasa, isn’t relying on a visual inspection. …