Classifying Forest-Edge Snow Depth Variability in Multiple Climates

Forest shading, scour, and wind related deposition result in significant snow depth variability between different sides of the forest edge (Broxton et al., 2015; Church, 1933; Geddes et al., 2005; Hiemstra et al., 2002, 2006; Marr, 1977; Musselman et al., 2008). The net effect of these physical snow processes is greater snow accumulation and longer snow retention on either leeward or north-facing forest edges (Golding & Swanson, 1978; Hiemstra et al., 2002, 2006; Lawler & Link, 2011; Tabler, 2003). Understanding the dominant modes of snow depth variability between forest-edges as a result of these physical processes is valuable when predicting watershed scale processes including streamflow magnitude, timing, and temperature, particularly during late summer flows (Clark et al., 2011; Leach & Moore, 2014; Luce et al., 1998, 1999; Lundquist et al., 2005; Lundquist & Dettinger, 2005; Sun et al., 2018).