snowpacks
Frozen water storage
Snowpacks are accumulated layers of snow that persist through the winter season, particularly in mountainous regions.
The term usually refers to snow that builds up over months and serves as a natural water reservoir: California's snowpack determines summer water supplies.
Hydrologists measure snowpack depth and water content to predict spring runoff and manage reservoirs.
Solid-to-liquid transition
- albedoSurface reflection coefficient
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
- declineDecrease or refuse
monitoring · satellite imagery · climate models · feedback loops · permafrost · temperature rise · ice loss · seasonal shift
Liquefied winter precipitation
- runoffExcess water drainage
- watershedDrainage area boundary
- streamflowRiver water's measured movement
- aquiferGroundwater-bearing geological formation
reservoir · irrigation · groundwater · precipitation · recharge · water supply · spring runoff · meltwater
Collected mass over time
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- spring thawWarming that melts winter's ice
- freeze-thawIce forming and melting repeatedly
- sublimationSolid to gas directly
compaction · layering · settling · metamorphism · hoar frost · seasonal cycle · consolidation
Of high elevations
- elevationHeight above reference point
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- accumulation zoneWhere ice sheet grows
- cirqueGlacier-carved mountain basin
north-facing · high altitude · Sierra · Rockies · Cascades · Andes · Himalayas · Alps
Fine dry particles
- groomedMade neat and tidy
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- early seasonStart of a period
- late seasonFinal period of cycle
snowmaking · crud · avalanche risk · backcountry · ski patrol
Distance below surface
- densityMass-to-volume ratio
- snowtubeInflatable hill-sliding ring
- coringRemoving central portion
- remote sensingGathering data without contact
LiDAR · satellite monitoring · baseline · interpolation · data collection
melting
Solid-to-liquid transition
- albedoSurface reflection coefficient
- shrinkingDecreasing in dimension
- warmingIncreasing in temperature
decline · monitoring · satellite imagery · climate models · feedback loops · permafrost · temperature rise · ice loss · seasonal shift · water scarcity
snowmelt
Liquefied winter precipitation
- runoffExcess water drainage
- watershedDrainage area boundary
- streamflowRiver water's measured movement
aquifer · reservoir · irrigation · groundwater · precipitation · recharge · water supply · spring runoff · meltwater · drainage
accumulation
Collected mass over time
- ablationRemoval by cutting, melting
- spring thawWarming that melts winter's ice
- freeze-thawIce forming and melting repeatedly
sublimation · compaction · layering · settling · metamorphism · hoar frost · seasonal cycle · consolidation
alpine
Of high elevations
- elevationHeight above reference point
- summitPeak or diplomatic gathering
- accumulation zoneWhere ice sheet grows
cirque · north-facing · high altitude · Sierra · Rockies · Cascades · Andes · Himalayas · Alps · mountain range
powder
Fine dry particles
- groomedMade neat and tidy
- coverageExtent of inclusion
- early seasonStart of a period
late season · snowmaking · crud · avalanche risk · backcountry · ski patrol
depth
Distance below surface
remote sensing · LiDAR · satellite monitoring · baseline · interpolation · data collection
snowpacksmeltwater
Water from melted ice
runoff · streamflow · snowmelt · drought · liquid water
snowpacksdry soil
Waterless ground material
parched earth · summer drought · desert terrain · scorched earth