California Federal-State snow sensor investigations problems and rewards

For the past 3 winters, (1965-66 to 1967-68) the Weather Bureau, in cooperation with the California Department of Water Resources, has been conducting studies in the use of snow sensors for obtaining real time data for river and flood forecasting. Various sizes of rubber pillows, metal disks and platforms have been installed at varying exposures and elevations. This paper points out the advantages and limitations of different types of sensors and exposures in several elevation regimes in the Sierra Nevada of California. Tables and graphs illustrate the type of data collected and advantages of current information from the mountains.