Prediction of snowmelt rates at a forested alpine site in northern Utah

This study examined snow surface energy exchanges in the forested Bear River mountains of northern utah. The site was located at Beaver Mountain (2600 m) on a northeast aspect slope and instrumented to measure net radiation, incoming and reflected shortwave radiation air temperature, soil temperature, snow temperature, relative humidity, wind gradients, snow temperature, relative humidity, wind gradients and direction, snow depth, and percipitation. Measurements were taken every 30 seconds and averaged over 30 minute intervals. The data was transmitted daily 32.9 km to Logan, Utah, via radio telemetry.Strong winds and warm, humid air preceded frontal weather systems passing over the Bear River mountains. Nevertheless, maximum daily average recorded wind speed was only 1.6 m/s, and the mean daily average was just 0.57 m/s. Snow surface energy exchanges were determined by bulk aerodynamic equations. Low momentum exchange resulted in net radiation dominating the surface energy budget. (etc.)