Densities of prairie snowpacks

The paper is concerned with the physical measurements of the snow water equivalent of shallow prairie snowpacks under flat, highly exposed cold conditions. Consideration is given to the relationship between ‘ground catch’ and measurements recorded by shielded automatic precipitation gauges. Physical measurement of shallow packs, their distribution and retention by ground sampling techniques are discussed. Time changes in density of freshly fallen snow caused by drifting and seasonal variation in density of shallow snowpacks are evaluated. The performance of twin-probe gamma nuclear system for detecting abrupt physical changes (greater than ½ inch) in snow density within a deep profile at scanning rates up to 15 inches per minute under cold weather operation is evaluated.