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Water Resources - Exam 1 > Snow Hydrology > Flashcards

Snow Hydrology Flashcards

1
Q

Stamp Sands

A

left-over copper mine, use it on roads on snow

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2
Q

Importance of Snow

A

what’s society used to, preparation, economics, recreation, transportation, property damage, replenish water storage

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3
Q

Snow Hydrology

A

understanding and predicting the physical process of snow accumulation (how much), ablation (reduction), and melt water runoff (where ends up)

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4
Q

Snow Hydrology Issues

A

quantity of water in snow packs, magnitude and rate of water lost by sublimation, timing rate & magnitude of snow melt, and rate of melt water

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5
Q

Snow Crystal Formation

A

different temps form different crystals

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6
Q

Why does snow look blue?

A

reflects off of sky (which is blue); shortwave radiation

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7
Q

Lake Effect

A

Causes bands of snow

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8
Q

Snow Cover Distribution Types

A

Macroscale, Mesoscale, Microscale

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9
Q

Macroscale

A

distances 10-1,000 km (here to Raystown)

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10
Q

Mesoscale

A

distances 100 m to 10 km (Huntingdon)

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11
Q

Microscale

A

distances 10-100 m (here to baseball field)

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12
Q

Effect of Topography on Snow Distribution

A

depth increases with elevation (more snowfall events and lower evaporation/melt), but not only elevation; must consider other factors (slope, aspect, temp, vegetation, etc.)

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13
Q

Aspect

A

direction you’re facing

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14
Q

Effect of Vegetation on Snow Distribution

A

turbulent air flow above and within canopy, direct interception of snow by canopy elements; related to type, density, and nearby areas

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15
Q

Effect of Forested Environments on Snow Distribution

A

conifers are efficient interceptors, and cohesion makes it last longer, more accumulation in clearings (difference occurs during storms & caused by sublimation and interception)

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16
Q

Effect of Open Environments on Snow Distribution

A

relative accumulation on different landscapes in open grassland

17
Q

Open Environment

A

highly exposed terrain, differences in vegetation/terrain produce variation in accumulation

18
Q

Hydrologic Influences of Blowing Snow

A

redistribution of snow water equivalent & loss of water by sublimation

19
Q

Blowing Snow Transportation

A

creep (roll), saltation (bounce), turbulent diffusion (suspended)

20
Q

Blowing Snow: Sublimation Losses

A

snow particles more exposed to atmosphere during wind transport; depends on transport rate and distance, temp, humidity, wind speed, solar radiation

21
Q

Snow Pack

A

porous medium (ice + air + liquid water), layers of different types, ice in crystals/grains bonded together, gets stronger with more compaction

22
Q

Snow Pack SWE

A

snow depth x (snow density/water density); height of water if snow cover melted

23
Q

Snow Pack Grain Size

A

average size of characteristic grains within a mass of snow (mm)

24
Q

Snow Pack Temperature

A

variation of temperature between top and bottom (temp gradient & largely determined by thickness and mean surface temp) OR no temp gradient (isothermal)

25
Q

Diurnal

A

occuring every day

26
Q

Snow Energy Exchange: Radiation

A

transfer of energy by electromagnetic waves

27
Q

Snow Energy Exchange: Conduction

A

molecule to molecule contact

28
Q

Snow Energy Exchange: Convection

A

involves mixing

29
Q

Snow Energy Exchange: Advection

A

energy transfers by mass transport

30
Q

Factors Contributing to Energy Transfer

A

wind (increase wind and mixing, sensible heat exchange), water vapor (pressure gradient between snow and air, latent heat exchange), radiation (shortwave and longwave), advected heat, and soil contact

31
Q

Velocity of Water Flow Through Snow

A

2-60 cm/min; depends on pack structure, condition prior to water, and water on surface

32
Q

Water Flow Through Homogeneous Snow

A

thin film of water surrounds snow grains; laminar flow

33
Q

Water Flow Through Heterogeneous Snow

A

preferential flow paths; ice layers (from melt and refreezing, relatively impermeable, goes laterally)

34
Q

Snow Pillows

A

measure weight

35
Q

Snow Courses

A

transects with snow depth and density

36
Q

Snow Tubes

A

measure volume and mass of cores

37
Q

Snow Pits

A

measure vertical profiles of SWE and other pack variables

38
Q

Airborne Snow Survey Program

A

measure radiation coming out of ground; knowing what should be radiating from that point, we can measure depth of snow

39
Q

Satellite Areal Extent of Snow Cover

A

measure snow water equivallent

Water Resources - Exam 1 (6 decks)

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