The Canadian snow-cover survey

The objective of the Canadian Snow Cover Survey was to obtain data on the physical features of the snow cover at a number of observation stations, and to provide a basis for future studies of the fundamental properties of snow. The method followed at each station consisted of digging a test pit in the snow cover once each week and measuring temperature, specific gravity, free-water content, hardness and average size and shape of snow grains. Air temperature, snow cover depth and the location of the snow layers were also determined. Standard snow classifications were used. Some of the results obtained show that air temperature and wind had a decided influence on the condition of the snow cover, while the effects of sunshine were small. The specific gravity of settled snow was usually between .25 to .35 and for wet settled snow the specific gravity rose as high as .65, at temperatures below freezing.Discussion by Dr. J.E. Church, Jr.