Local Snow Sampling

Datasheets
Snow Identi-guide sampling card

OBJECTIVES:

1) To observe the local accumulation of snow, as well as crystal types and size of specific storm events.

2) To educate school children about science, in particular weather, the water cycle and measurements.

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE:

The purpose of this research is to model the snowpack through the winter and then the melt process to predict spring flows and water levels. Weather radar is used to predict snowfall quantities and other remote sensing tools are used to quantify snowpack properties. The coverage of the weather radar is a 220 kilometre radius centered at King City (north of Toronto). This central south-western Ontario coverage extends to Lake Huron in the west and Lake Erie in the south.

The purpose of the proposed sub-project is to observe the local accumulation of snow, to measure flake sizes and describe crystal type for specific storm events; as well as introduce the observers to aspects of weather and data collection.

The losses of mass to the snowpack are caused by phase changes, specifically melt and sublimation (solid to vapour when temperatures are below freezing). The sublimation losses are a function of the local weather and the characteristics of the snow, in particular, size and shape. It is hypothesized that the initial characteristics of the falling snow can be estimated using temperature and remote sensing, and these characteristics can be tracked and used to determine sublimation loss rates.

It is recommended that students collect the data since data collection will occur at several locations throughout central south-western Ontario and it is logistically difficult for the researchers to travel to the various areas on a weekly basis.

SCOPE:

With the cooperation of the school principal and the teachers (the students and parents if necessary), grade four or five students will perform the sampling over the winter of 1996/97. It is hoped that three schools across central south-western Ontario will cooperated in the activity, giving a spatial distribution in the data. The schools will be within the Atmospheric Environment Services King City Radar coverage. Based on sampling from December to March, there will be 13 weeks of sampling.

METHOD:

1) The students will be given a brief presentation about the research and their participation.

2) Prior to the first snowfall (or December 1st, 1996), a sampling strategy will be developed by each participating class, based on a minimum requirement of one measurement per week. It is hoped that some of the sampling will be performed during snowfall events.

3) The students will periodically make measurementsand record their findings on data sheets. Once per week, or shortly after a snowfall, students will go to a semi-secluded/open area (non- trodden) of the school yard and perform the following tasks: i) record the date and time;
ii) measure snow depths in 5 locations (to the nearest centimetre);
iii) dig a snow pit;
iv) identify and measure the depth of top layer (to the nearest centimetre);
iv) look at the snowflakes in the top layer of the pack with a magnifying glass, estimate the largest dimension (to the nearest quarter mm) and identify the prominent flake type; and
v) record air temperature (to the nearest degree Celsius).

USES:

1) The students will learn about several aspects of science through hands-on activities. Some of the wonders of nature can also be discovered.

2) Qualitative data will be collected and used in research (a doctorate in engineering).

PRECEDENT

1) During the winter of 1972-73, 55 high school and junior high school student observers from the Oswego, New York area (north of Syracuse) were recruited to provide additional data for a radar snowfall measurement study. The students measured snow depths and water equivalents using snow boards during the months of January and February for 14 observation periods. They also obtained some limited information on the type and size of the snowflakes.

Peck, E.L., L.W. Larson, and J.W. Wilson, 1974. Lake Ontario Snowfall Observational Network for Calibrating Radar Measurements. Advanced Concepts and Techniques in the Study of Snow and Ice Resources, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, p412-421.

Wilson, J.W., 1974. Measurement of Snowfall by Radar. Advanced Concepts and Techniques in the Study of Snow and Ice Resources. National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC, p391- 401.

2) Professor Chisholm teaches a technical communication course at Plymouth State College in Plymouth, New Hampshire, using the snowpack as the topic of investigation. Although the subject of study is irrelevant, snow provides an excellent topic; “snowpack study provides a common experience in science among students without a technical background. In the project the students not only gain knowledge about the physics of snow stratigraphy and metamorphism, but develop skills at observing, recording and interpreting data. Further, they learn to present information in several forms for lay audiences who are not acquainted with their project.” (Chisholm, R.M., 1995. Snowpack Study in School. 52nd Eastern Snow Conference, Toronto, ON, p159-161.)

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