tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post2615905705793157994..comments2024-03-27T15:09:59.039-06:00Comments on Wasatch Weather Weenies: Aspect Is EverythingJim Shttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-60617322884502787142016-02-28T17:44:51.564-07:002016-02-28T17:44:51.564-07:00Tony:
I never really thought about the minimum so...Tony:<br /><br />I never really thought about the minimum solar rad before. Will have to give it some thought. It's going to be dependent on ambient temperature, etc., and snow age (which affects how much is reflected), but there probably is a reasonable guess number that could be used.Jim Shttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15799757451626876963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-86479350457612804652016-02-28T17:41:10.150-07:002016-02-28T17:41:10.150-07:00excellentexcellentpcarboristnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6168620747792092240.post-88177310494852674992016-02-28T17:03:14.646-07:002016-02-28T17:03:14.646-07:00Those Whiteman charts are very informative, and sh...Those Whiteman charts are very informative, and should be mandatory reading for anyone who contemplates an advanced booked trip to Jackson Hole (primary exposure SE) in March. <br /><br />The east an west facing examples are also interesting. Max solar radiation on a 30 degree slope is ~700 Watts/sq m in December but ~1100 Watts/sq m in March. Note that ~1100 Watts/sq m is similar to a south facing slope in December. Ski experience tells me that south facing slopes can melt/freeze nearly anytime, but that east and west facing slopes in a climate like the Wasatch rarely melt/freeze during the "Steenburgh winter" timeframe up through early February. <br /><br />Do you have a feel for what level of solar radiation is likely to bring on the melt/freeze in a dry, interior climate like Utah's? My guess looking at that chart is somewhere in the 800-900 Watts/sq m range. Tony Crockerhttp://bestsnow.netnoreply@blogger.com