Laboratory and field experiments with snow gages in Idaho

Submitted by Armida on Fri, 02/15/2013 - 16:51

Title	Laboratory and field experiments with snow gages in Idaho
Publication Type	Conference Proceedings
Year of Conference	1951
Authors	Warnick, C. C.
Conference Name	19th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series Title	Proceedings of the 19th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date Published	April 1951
Publisher	Western Snow Conference
Conference Location	Victoria, British Columbia
Keywords	Snow gage test results, Snow storm simulation, Wind tunnel
Abstract	A large slow-speed wind tunnel was constructed to study air movement around precipitation gages. The tunnel is made of plywood in sections which can be dismantled. Sawdust was used to illustrate air patterns and make quantitative evaluations of the catching characteristics of the gage. A Speed Graphic camera is mounted 25 inches above the floor of the tunnel in a small darkroom. The laboratory tests are centered around air flow phenomena near half-scale models of the gages and the catching characteristics of various gages equipped with different shields. Field studies, in progress for 3 winters, are in a plot containing 7 gages. Gage measurements are taken at weekly intervals by stick measurements. The tests in the tunnel indicate that the Alter Shield has the optimum basic shape. Field studies show a fault in the standpipe gages. The stored precipitation in the standpipe gage freezes and makes records questionable. (See also WSC 220-49: SIP U1807)

Subscribe to the Western Snow Conference Email List