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Title: Research on the seasonal snow of the Arctic Slope

Abstract

This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. Although it is concentrated on snow of the R40 project area, it is important to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination Of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological role of the snow cover.

Authors:
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Alaska Univ., Fairbanks, AK (United States). Geophysical Inst.
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE; USDOE, Washington, DC (United States)
OSTI Identifier:
7160402
Report Number(s):
DOE/ER/60245-5
ON: DE93003041
DOE Contract Number:
FG06-84ER60245
Resource Type:
Technical Report
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; ALASKAN NORTH SLOPE; MAPPING; SNOW; SEASONAL VARIATIONS; ARCTIC REGIONS; BIOLOGICAL EFFECTS; MELTING; PHYSICAL PROPERTIES; PROGRESS REPORT; SPATIAL DISTRIBUTION; ATMOSPHERIC PRECIPITATIONS; DISTRIBUTION; DOCUMENT TYPES; PHASE TRANSFORMATIONS; POLAR REGIONS; VARIATIONS; 540110*

Citation Formats

Benson, C.S. Research on the seasonal snow of the Arctic Slope. United States: N. p., 1989. Web. doi:10.2172/7160402.
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Benson, C.S. Research on the seasonal snow of the Arctic Slope. United States. doi:10.2172/7160402.
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Benson, C.S. Sun . "Research on the seasonal snow of the Arctic Slope". United States. doi:10.2172/7160402. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/7160402.
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@article{osti_7160402,
title = {Research on the seasonal snow of the Arctic Slope},
author = {Benson, C.S.},
abstractNote = {This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. Although it is concentrated on snow of the R40 project area, it is important to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination Of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological role of the snow cover.},
doi = {10.2172/7160402},
journal = {},
number = ,
volume = ,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}
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Technical Report:
View Technical Report (1.02 MB)
DOI:  10.2172/7160402
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  • This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. Although it is concentrated on snow of the R{sub 4}D project area, it is important to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological role of the snow cover.more » The 1984--1985, 1985--1986 and 1986--1987 seasonal snow was measured to determine its total quantity, its physical structure and its distribution as a function of wind and topography. Observations of meteorological parameters and snowpack characteristics during winter and spring have yielded information on the seasonal evolution of the snow in quantitative terms. A method of determining melt rates over large regions was developed and is being refined, progress was made on a model describing energy flux sources which control snow melting. A strong control is exerted by air mass advection on a broad scale. We are continuing to devote attention to the sources of energy and energy transfer mechanisms which control snow melt. The 1986 snow melt was two weeks later than the 1987 and 1985 meltouts. The delay was caused by advection of cold air from the Arctic Ocean. When it did get underway melting was very rapid and the snow pack disappeared in only half the time taken in 1985.« less

  • The original objectives of this research included a regional study of snow on the entire Arctic Slope. During the first year the scope was restricted to the R{sub 4}D area. In the second and third years the primary focus was also on the R{sub 4}D area,but measurements were made at Prudhoe Bay, Atgasuk and Wainwright to determine the flux of wind-blown snow on a wider scale. Additional broadening of scope was discussed at the San Diego R{sub 4}D meetings in April 1986 and 1987 and at the extrapolation workshop held at Penn State University in Spring 1987. The broadening ofmore » scope has also included detailed studies of chemistry and controls exerted by large-scale advection of air masses on the longwave, thermal IR, and radiation. The latter phenomena are critical in initiating snowmelt.« less

  • This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. Although it is concentrated on snow of the R{sub 4}D project area, it is important to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological role of the snow cover.

  • This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. It is concentrated on snow of the R{sub 4}D project area. However, an important aspect of this study is to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological rolemore » of the snow cover.« less

  • This project deals with the seasonal snow on Alaska's Arctic Slope. Although it is concentrated on snow of the R{sub 4}D project area, it is important to relate the snow cover of this area with the rest of the Arctic Slope. The goals include determination of the amount of precipitation which comes as snow, the wind transport of this snow and its depositional pattern as influenced by drifting, the physical properties of the snow, the physical processes which operate in it, the proportions of it which go into evaporation, infiltration and runoff, and the biological role of the snow cover.