Wind direction during snowfall at Central Sierra Snow Laboratory

TitleWind direction during snowfall at Central Sierra Snow Laboratory
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1957
AuthorsCourt, A.
Conference Name25th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 25th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1957
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSanta Barbara, California
KeywordsWind direction
Abstract

How the wind blows during periods of snowfall is important in understanding the manner in which snow accumulates among trees and in open areas, and on slopes of varying inclination and orientation. Winds are predominantly southwesterly when snow falls at the Central Sierra Snow laboratory near Donner Pass. The valley of Castle Creek in which the laboratory is situated has a typical mountain-valley wind regime, northwest down the valley in night and morning and southwest up the valley during afternoon and evening. Data for wind travel and direction were analyzed during the period of 1947-48 and winter of 1957 finding a marked similarity of wind direction and precipitation values. Greater portions of precipitation fell during the southwest wind directions by two thirds greater. Less than 2% of precipitation fell during calm periods. Data are tabulated and graphed on wind rose diagrams.

URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1957Court.pdf