Diurnal fluctuation of free-water content in a melting snowpack

Diurnal fluctuation of free-water and density occurs during the day melting period when the rate of snow melt is high and exceeds the capillary capacity of the snowpack. At night when the rate of the melting becomes insignificant, the excess free-water drains from the pack. Snow samples were taken horizontally at one foot intervals of depth and at four hour intervals from the face of a pit dug 65 inches to soil surface. Samples were weighted for water equivalent and calorimeter procedures were used to determine free-water content. Vertical samples were also taken to determine the average density and water content of the pack for comparison.