Verification of Snow-depth Measurement Technique Based on Snow Temperature Profile

Abstract

We investigated some practical application methods of snow-depth measurement technique based on snow temperature profile for the purpose of observing snow depths in high mountainous and forest areas. Small temperature loggers were attached to poles at 20cm intervals from ground surface. Snow depths were estimated by assessing the daily variations in air and snow temperature. The material and color of the poles and the support provided to the poles did not affect the estimation accuracy significantly. If the standard deviation recorded by a temperature logger in a given day was less than 0.3°C, the logger was considered to be covered by snow. The observation error of this method may be approximately 75% of the attached interval; the method is inexpensive and robust, and it can be applied in inaccessible high mountainous and forest areas.