Simulating the extent and depth of spring snow cover for medieval settlements in Iceland and Greenland

• Snow cover is simulated for archaeological sites in Iceland and Greenland. Implications of increasing snow pastoral farming are discussed. Increasing divergence between Greenland through time. worst modelled scenarios markedly greater than current conditions. Medieval settlements were vulnerable to changes spring (April-June) duration depth. These would have adversely affected the viability their systems, but impact been spatially variable. We use a physical-based model distribution melt depth at scale relevant human activities across four sites: southern northern Iceland, inner middle fjord South Greenland, using both present day climate data from HadCM3 GCM-model. Our period CE 1000–1500, encompassing shift cooler find that under average conditions site has similar notably cover, as cools this becomes extensive (>60 days). The largest increase coolest (47 days increase) experienced our sites. Inner diverge terms all scenarios, potential driver growing importance marine wild resources end Norse settlement.