Snow Hydrology

Question 1

Stamp Sands

Answer 1

left-over copper mine, use it on roads on snow

Question 2

Importance of Snow

Answer 2

what’s society used to, preparation, economics, recreation, transportation, property damage, replenish water storage

Question 3

Snow Hydrology

Answer 3

understanding and predicting the physical process of snow accumulation (how much), ablation (reduction), and melt water runoff (where ends up)

Question 4

Snow Hydrology Issues

Answer 4

quantity of water in snow packs, magnitude and rate of water lost by sublimation, timing rate & magnitude of snow melt, and rate of melt water

Question 5

Snow Crystal Formation

Answer 5

different temps form different crystals

Question 6

Why does snow look blue?

Answer 6

reflects off of sky (which is blue); shortwave radiation

Question 7

Lake Effect

Answer 7

Causes bands of snow

Question 8

Snow Cover Distribution Types

Answer 8

Macroscale, Mesoscale, Microscale

Question 9

Macroscale

Answer 9

distances 10-1,000 km (here to Raystown)

Question 10

Mesoscale

Answer 10

distances 100 m to 10 km (Huntingdon)

Question 11

Microscale

Answer 11

distances 10-100 m (here to baseball field)

Question 12

Effect of Topography on Snow Distribution

Answer 12

depth increases with elevation (more snowfall events and lower evaporation/melt), but not only elevation; must consider other factors (slope, aspect, temp, vegetation, etc.)

Question 13

Aspect

Answer 13

direction you’re facing

Question 14

Effect of Vegetation on Snow Distribution

Answer 14

turbulent air flow above and within canopy, direct interception of snow by canopy elements; related to type, density, and nearby areas

Question 15

Effect of Forested Environments on Snow Distribution

Answer 15

conifers are efficient interceptors, and cohesion makes it last longer, more accumulation in clearings (difference occurs during storms & caused by sublimation and interception)

Question 16

Effect of Open Environments on Snow Distribution

Answer 16

relative accumulation on different landscapes in open grassland

Question 17

Open Environment

Answer 17

highly exposed terrain, differences in vegetation/terrain produce variation in accumulation

Question 18

Hydrologic Influences of Blowing Snow

Answer 18

redistribution of snow water equivalent & loss of water by sublimation

Question 19

Blowing Snow Transportation

Answer 19

creep (roll), saltation (bounce), turbulent diffusion (suspended)

Question 20

Blowing Snow: Sublimation Losses

Answer 20

snow particles more exposed to atmosphere during wind transport; depends on transport rate and distance, temp, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation

Question 21

Snow Pack

Answer 21

porous medium (ice + air + liquid water), layers of different types, ice in crystals/grains bonded together, gets stronger with more compaction

Question 22

Snow Pack SWE

Answer 22

snow depth x (snow density/water density); height of water if snow cover melted

Question 23

Snow Pack Grain Size

Answer 23

average size of characteristic grains within a mass of snow (mm)

Question 24

Snow Pack Temperature

Answer 24

variation of temperature between top and bottom (temp gradient & largely determined by thickness and mean surface temp) OR no temp gradient (isothermal)

Question 25

Diurnal

Answer 25

occuring every day

Question 26

Snow Energy Exchange: Radiation

Answer 26

transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

Question 27

Snow Energy Exchange: Conduction

Answer 27

molecule to molecule contact

Question 28

Snow Energy Exchange: Convection

Answer 28

involves mixing

Question 29

Snow Energy Exchange: Advection

Answer 29

energy transfers by mass transport

Question 30

Factors Contributing to Energy Transfer

Answer 30

wind (increase wind and mixing, sensible heat exchange), water vapor (pressure gradient between snow and air, latent heat exchange), radiation (shortwave and longwave), advected heat, and soil contact

Question 31

Velocity of Water Flow Through Snow

Answer 31

2-60 cm/min; depends on pack structure, condition prior to water, and water on surface

Question 32

Water Flow Through Homogeneous Snow

Answer 32

thin film of water surrounds snow grains; laminar flow

Question 33

Water Flow Through Heterogeneous Snow

Answer 33

preferential flow paths; ice layers (from melt and refreezing, relatively impermeable, goes laterally)

Question 34

Snow Pillows

Answer 34

measure weight

Question 35

Snow Courses

Answer 35

transects with snow depth and density

Question 36

Snow Tubes

Answer 36

measure volume and mass of cores

Question 37

Snow Pits

Answer 37

measure vertical profiles of SWE and other pack variables

Question 38

Airborne Snow Survey Program

Answer 38

measure radiation coming out of ground; knowing what should be radiating from that point, we can measure depth of snow

Question 39

Satellite Areal Extent of Snow Cover

Answer 39

measure snow water equivallent