Interceptioon and redistribution of snow in a subalpine forest on a storm-by-storm basis
Title | Interceptioon and redistribution of snow in a subalpine forest on a storm-by-storm basis |
Publication Type | Conference Proceedings |
Year of Conference | 1987 |
Authors | Wheeler, K. |
Conference Name | 55th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Series Title | Proceedings of the 55th Annual Western Snow Conference |
Date Published | April 1987 |
Publisher | Western Snow Conference |
Conference Location | Vancouver, British Columbia |
Keywords | Clearcuts, Interception, Redistribution |
Abstract | Small clearcut openings in subalpine forests commonly have 30% greater snow water equivalence (SWE) than the surrounding forest. This may result from the clearings capturing wind transported snow. This study measured the SWE in a small clearcut and the surrounding forest on a storm-by-storm basis. The average windspeed and SWE for each storm were compared to determine the effect of wind on snow accumulation. Redistribution of intercepted snow between storms occurred once out of the 21 possible times. It accounted for 2% of the measured accumulation in the clearing. Regression of the percent difference in SWE between the upwind forest and the clearing versus windspeed showed a negative correlation (r = -0.74). Acculumation in the clearing decreased relative to the forrest as the average windspeed increased. |
URL | sites/westernsnowconference.org/PDFs/1987Wheeler.pdf |