Premium
Snow measurement predicament
Author(s) -
Peck Eugene L.
Publication year - 1972
Publication title -
water resources research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.863
H-Index - 217
eISSN - 1944-7973
pISSN - 0043-1397
DOI - 10.1029/wr008i001p00244
Subject(s) - snowmelt , snow , snow cover , surface runoff , environmental science , meteorology , hydrology (agriculture) , water equivalent , climatology , geology , geography , geotechnical engineering , ecology , biology
Increased interest in snow and snowmelt runoff has resulted in the need for a better knowledge of snowfall and the water equivalent of snow cover. Present measuring methods have proven valuable for seasonal runoff prediction and other water management requirements in major snow areas. However, more accurate estimates of the actual snowfall and the average areal snow cover are required for detailed water budget and water use studies and for input for the conceptual forecasting models now being developed. The limitations of present measuring systems are analyzed, and guidelines for their usefulness as indices are presented. The basic problems involved in determining more representative values are discussed, and suggestions are given for methods to improve measurements.