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.
An arch formed by snow which has drifted across a crevasse, forming first a cornice, and ultimately a covering which may completely obscure the opening.
An arch formed by snow which has drifted across a crevasse, forming first a cornice, and ultimately a covering which may completely obscure the opening.
A mass of snow that has accumulated in the top of an open crevasse, masking the existence of the crevasse. Frequently, a large void exists below the snowbridge.
Snow that has been compressed at low temperatures and that sets into a tough substance of considerably greater strength than uncompressed snow (from Glossary of Arctic and Subarctic Terms 1955).
A sample of snow, either just the freshly fallen snow or the combined old and new snow on the ground, obtained by pushing a cylinder down through the snow layer and extracting it.
A sample of either freshly fallen snow, or the combined old and new snow on the ground. This is obtained by pushing a cylinder down through the snow layer and extracting it.
A sample of either freshly fallen snow, or the combined old and new snow on the ground. This is obtained by pushing a cylinder down through the snow layer and extracting it.
Line laid out and permanently marked, along which snow is sampled, or its depth measured, at appropriate times at stations separated by definite distances. (TR)
An established line or transect of measurements of snow water equivalent across a snow field in representative mountainous terrain, where appreciable snow accumulates, to monitor seasonal snowpack. Al
though intended to be measured over a distance of several hundred meters, in practice snow courses may consist of four or so individual measurements. The measurements are used for runoff prediction and for assessing the potential for flooding or drought, and they are also used in longer- term climatological studies. Along the snow course, core samples are taken periodically (often monthly) throughout the snow season. Approximately 300 snow courses are operated over the western United States.
In general, the accumulation of snow on the ground surface, and in particular, the areal extent of snow-covered ground (NSIDC, 2008); term to be preferably used in conjunction with the climatologic re
levance of snow on the ground. See also snowpack.