Distribution of Snow Drifts on Ridge Slopes: Measurements and Theoretical Approximations
Open Access
- 1 January 1983
- journal article
- research article
- Published by International Glaciological Society in Annals of Glaciology
- Vol. 4, 52-57
- https://doi.org/10.1017/s0260305500005231
Abstract
During several winters the positions and magnitudes of excess snow deposits or denudation zones caused by wind have been evaluated on the flanks of regular, elongated mountain ridges. The surveys were carried out by conventional measurements of mass balance. According to angle of slope (10 to 35°), shape of crest (hump- or wedge-shaped) and orientation to the wind, various patterns of snow deposition may be found. It is shown that, on ridges oriented perpendicularly to the main wind direction (north-west) during snow storms, near-periodic snow deposits may be expected on the lee slope. On the windward side, there is a denudation zone near the crest. The measurements indicate that lee slopes, of mean slope angle, are buried in mid-winter under twice as much snow as the adjacent windward slopes. However, the ridge system as a whole accumulates the same amounts of snow as do areas of flat terrain. Theoretical approximations based on theories of potential flow and semi-empi rical plume models are used to simulate the presumed dispersion of snow. The model calculations, intended as diagnostic tools, suggest that snow may be diffused and deposited on lee slopes in a plume-like manner similar to other particulate matter. Snowfall, together with low-level blowing snow as an additional source of suspended particles, appears to increase the snow deposits, mainly on the foot of steeper ridges.Keywords
This publication has 4 references indexed in Scilit:
- Redistribution of snow in the mountains under the effect of heavy snow-stormsCold Regions Science and Technology, 1980
- Threshold Wind-Speeds and Elastic Impact in Snow TransportJournal of Glaciology, 1980
- Snow Transport Over Mountain CrestsJournal of Glaciology, 1980
- Eddy diffusion and settling speed in blown snowJournal of Geophysical Research, 1965