Estimating snow transport from wind speed records: estimates versus measurements at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

Submitted by Armida on Mon, 02/11/2013 - 13:21
TitleEstimating snow transport from wind speed records: estimates versus measurements at Prudhoe Bay, Alaska
Publication TypeConference Proceedings
Year of Conference1990
AuthorsTabler, R. D., Benson C. S., Santana B. W., and Ganguly P.
Conference Name58th Annual Western Snow Conference
Series TitleProceedings of the 58th Annual Western Snow Conference
Date PublishedApril 1990
PublisherWestern Snow Conference
Conference LocationSacramento, California
KeywordsBlowing snow, Snow fences, Snow transport, Snowdrifts, Wind speed
Abstract

A process-based model for wind-transported snow developed by Pomeroy (1988) has been used to derive an equation relating total snow transport in the first 5 m above the surface, q(sub0-5) (kg/m.s), to 10-m wind speed, u(sub10) m/s:q(sub0-5)=u(sub10)exp4.04/458800This equation is valid for u(sub10) >or= 6.5 m/s when snow supply is unlimited. A four-year comparison at Prudhoe Bay showed that snow transport estimated by this relationship compared favorably with measured snow accumulation at tall snow fences when basic requirements for snow conditions and wind data were satisfied. Analysis of historical wind records at Prudhoe Bay for 1968-1989 provided estimates for snow transport.
URLsites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1990Tabler.pdf