A revision of forecasting methods as practiced by the California Snow Surveys

TitleA revision of forecasting methods as practiced by the California Snow Surveys
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1950
AuthorsStrauss, F. A.
Conference Name18th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 18th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1950
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationBoulder City, Nevada
KeywordsWater supply forecasting
Abstract

A revised procedure for forecasting runoff, basically a modification of the direct method of the California Cooperative Snow surveys, is presented. The snow water content, as measured by snow survey procedures, of the basin, adjusted to April 1 conditions is calculated as a percent of normal cover on that date. Corrections in this index figure are made for precipitation during the runoff period, for basin streamflow, for April temperatures at different snow courses and for soil priming. Streamflow forecasts, accurate within 10%, can be made from the corrected snowpack index.