Snow water equivalent around Mt. Gassan estimated by past and recent snow survey data

Abstract

In this study, we estimate the snow water equivalent on Mt. Gassan (1984m a. s. l.) using historical data. We collated data for late March in 1954, 1955, 2003 and 2004, and derived a linear equation based on snow depth and elevation, and an empirical equation to convert snow depth to snow water equivalent. A square area of 400km² was selected with the peak of Mt. Gassan at the center. The total snow water equivalent is estimated to be 5.2×10 ⁸t, and the average snow water equivalent is estimated as 1300mm. This study confirms that the area around Mt. Gassan has one of the heaviest snowfalls in Japan.