A measurement of the depth of snow on the ground made either since the snow began falling or since a previous observation. (also called snow depth.) The total accumulation is equivalent to the total s
now depth during a storm, or after any single snowstorm or series of storms. Snow accumulation can vary due to settling and melting and will therefore vary depending on how often it is measured. For example, if new snow is measured every hour during a relatively long duration storm, it is likely that the summed accumulations may exceed a total snow accumulation measured only once at the end of the storm.
In hydrologic terms, a model which simulates snow pack accumulation, heat exchange at the air-snow interface, areal extent of snow cover, heat storage within the snow pack, liquid water retention, and
transmission and heat exchange at the ground-snow interface.
A model which simulates snow pack accumulation, heat exchange at the air-snow interface, areal extent of snow cover, heat storage within the snow pack, liquid water retention, and transmission and hea
t exchange at the ground-snow interface.
Mass of snow which becomes detached and slides swiftly down a slope. Large snow avalanches may contain rocks, soil, vegetation, or ice. Avalanche formation was comprehensively reviewed by Schweizer et
al. (2003).
The name given to the hypothesis that the Earth was almost completely covered by glacier ice in late Precambrian time (c. 1000 to 542 million years ago).
Impaired vision or temporary blindness caused by sunlight reflected from snow surfaces. The medical name is niphablepsia. "Symptoms of snow blindness are a gritty sensation under the eyelids, excessiv
e watering, double vision. First aid is to place the casualty in the dark or bandage the eyes; application of cool compresses alleviates pain. Most cases will recover in 18 hours without medical treatment"(from Glossary of Arctic and Subarctic Terms 1955).
A relatively bright region on the underside of clouds produced by the reflection of light by snow. (Also called snow sky.) This term is used in polar regions where it contributes to the sky map; snow
blink is brighter than ice blink, or reflection of light by land or water.
A bright white glare on the underside of clouds, produced by the reflection of light from a snow-covered surface; snowblink is lighter than ice blink, and much lighter than land sky or water sky.
Specially constructed board used to identify the surface of snow or ice that has been covered by more recent snowfall. Snow boards are used as an aid in obtaining representative samples of solid preci
pitation at times when the catch in the gauge is considered erroneous, for example, in windy weather and wet snow. They provide the reference level for the measurement of new snowfall and ice. They are constructed of thin metal, wood, or other light material so as to not sink in the snow. They should be at least 40 cm by 40 cm and covered with white cloth or plastic.
Marker at least 40 centimetres by 40 centimetres which is laid on a previous accumulation of snow, so that freshly fallen snow can be identified and extracted, and its depth measured.
A flat, solid, white material, such as painted plywood, approximately two feet square, which is laid on the ground, or snow surface by weather observers to obtain more accurate measurements of snowfal
l and water content.