tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post3670889109642292511..comments2024-03-27T15:09:59.039-06:00Comments on Wasatch Weather Weenies: Issues with Snow MeasurementJim Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-61178283538561030362018-03-28T14:54:02.978-06:002018-03-28T14:54:02.978-06:00Timing of snowfall (day vs night) is a major facto...Timing of snowfall (day vs night) is a major factor in spring with a high sun angle. The solar energy that gets through the clouds and through thin snow cover to the ground surface causes a lot of heating, and melts the snow from underneath. Davidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02814313368731066590noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-81634056965600351212018-03-26T20:16:53.027-06:002018-03-26T20:16:53.027-06:00There used to be a great deal of emphasis on preci...There used to be a great deal of emphasis on precision with snow amounts and full data profiles in the snow and avalanche world. As an avalanche forecaster here, I tend to broad-brush snow amounts and snow structure due to overall spatial variability. It's key to have the big picture and not trip over the minutia. Unless the minutia is the big picture. HardestyAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-81732796755890667962018-03-26T13:35:13.892-06:002018-03-26T13:35:13.892-06:00Yes.
The frequency and timing of measurement ma...Yes. <br /><br />The frequency and timing of measurement matters a lot. More frequent measurements means a greater total. Official records do not recognize snow totals based on more than 4 measurements in a 24-hour period. <br /><br />In general, the lowest frequency of measurements for freshly fallen snow is once-per-day. This is a common measurement frequency for weather volunteers. The measurement might be taken at a particular time (e.g., 7 am) or as close as possible to the end of the storm. The highest is every six hours. Many snow-safety groups do twice a day. <br /><br />Jim<br /><br /><br />Jim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-43920511155326470882018-03-26T13:30:57.791-06:002018-03-26T13:30:57.791-06:00Does snow settling ever start to affect measuremen...Does snow settling ever start to affect measurements? In other words, suppose a storm lasts 48 days. If you measure totals every 12 hours, would that ever give a larger total than one big end measurement?Brad Petersonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10953532130290472338noreply@blogger.com