What makes the snow melt?
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Summary
8 papers analyzed
These studies suggest that snow melt is primarily driven by turbulent heat fluxes, net radiation, and factors such as air temperature, humidity, wind velocity, and solar energy.
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Introduction
Snowmelt is a critical process influencing water availability, agriculture, hydroelectric power generation, and flood control. Understanding the factors that drive snowmelt is essential for accurate hydrological and climate modeling. This synthesis examines the primary factors contributing to snowmelt, including radiation, turbulent heat transfer, and atmospheric conditions.
Key Insights
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Radiation as a Dominant Factor:
- Radiation transfer, including both short-wave and long-wave radiation, is frequently the dominant process driving snowmelt, especially in open areas, prairies, northern forests, and mountainous terrain .
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Turbulent Heat Transfer:
- Sensible and latent heat transfer through turbulent exchange processes significantly contribute to snowmelt. These processes are influenced by air mass conditions, altitude, and terrain features .
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Impact of Wind and Air Advection:
- Wind-driven advection of warm, moist air over snow surfaces enhances snowmelt by increasing sensible heat fluxes. This effect is particularly pronounced at the leading edges of snow patches .
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Spatial Variability in Snowmelt:
- Snowmelt rates vary spatially due to differences in net radiation and heat fluxes across patchy snow covers. Upwind edges of snow patches experience higher melt rates due to increased turbulent heat fluxes compared to downwind edges.
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Diurnal and Slope Variations:
- The orientation of slopes affects snowmelt rates, with east-facing slopes typically experiencing more rapid melt due to higher solar energy input compared to west-facing slopes.
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Interannual Variability:
- Snowmelt onset and progression can vary significantly between years, influenced by factors such as cloud cover, wind patterns, and initial snow depth.
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Internal Snowmelt Processes:
- A portion of snowmelt occurs internally within the snowpack due to the penetration of solar radiation, accounting for about 20% of daily snowmelt.
Conclusion
Snowmelt is driven by a combination of radiation transfer, turbulent heat exchange, and atmospheric conditions. Radiation is often the primary driver, but turbulent heat transfer and wind-driven advection also play significant roles. Spatial variability, slope orientation, and interannual differences further influence snowmelt rates. Understanding these factors is crucial for improving snowmelt modeling and managing water resources effectively.
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