Examining the influence of snow cover on morning air temperature

There are large differences in mean minimum winter air temperature among very proximate New England stations. Daily differences are even greater when research sites are compared. We conducted a series of experiments, in morning twilight during the winter months, to examine the influence of topography and snow cover on early morning air temperature. We have proposed a hypothesis that the impoundment of the Connecticut River extending above the Wilder dam provides a temperature reference plane, allowing evaluation of physical factors modifying air temperatures adjacent to the reference plane. Analyses of surface air temperature with respect to elevation and distance along the Connecticut River valley show consistent vertical temperature structures that are related to snow cover. We present analyses of temperature structure and the relation of surface air temperature to vertical temperature structure in the vicinity of the reference plane.