Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK

Clemens-Sewall, David; Sturm, Matthew; Oggier, Marc; Delamere, Jennifer

doi:10.5439/3010844

Title: Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK

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Abstract

The physical structure of the snowpack is impacted by and impacts the exchange of energy with the atmosphere. Qualitative characterization of snowpack stratigraphy in snow pits provides context for what physical processes are changing the snow (e.g., melt, wind-packing, hoar formation). 36 snowpits were dug as part of the 2024 Snow Albedo Evolution (SALVO) field campaign. Snow grain stratigraphy was recorded using standard International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) snow grain classification ( https://cryosphericsciences.org/publications/snow-classification/) and hand hardness tests (in order of least hard to hardest: F (fist), 4F (four fingers), 1F (one finger), P (pencil), K (knife), I (ice)). These snowpits were generally co-located with library site albedo measurements and are given the same index (Date, Site, Location, Position) when appropriate (see broadband and spectral albedo data archived from the SALVO II project).

Authors:

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Publication Date:: Mon Dec 29 04:00:00 UTC 2025

DOE Contract Number:: AC05-00OR22725

Research Org.:: Atmospheric Radiation Measurement User Facility

Sponsoring Org.:: USDOE Office of Science (SC), Biological and Environmental Research (BER)

Collaborations:: PNNL, BNL, ANL, ORNL

Subject:: Depth to bottom of snow layer; Depth to top of snow layer; Hand hardness; International Association of Cryospheric Sciences; Snow grain shape; snow grain classification

OSTI Identifier:: 3010844

DOI:: https://doi.org/10.5439/3010844

Citation Formats


                    Clemens-Sewall, David, Sturm, Matthew, Oggier, Marc, and Delamere, Jennifer. Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK.  United States: N. p., 2025. 
        Web.  doi:10.5439/3010844.

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                    Clemens-Sewall, David, Sturm, Matthew, Oggier, Marc, & Delamere, Jennifer. Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK.  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.5439/3010844

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                    Clemens-Sewall, David, Sturm, Matthew, Oggier, Marc, and Delamere, Jennifer. 2025.  
"Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK".  United States.  doi:https://doi.org/10.5439/3010844.  https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/3010844. Pub date:Mon Dec 29 04:00:00 UTC 2025

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@article{osti_3010844,

  title        = {Snow ALbedo eVOlution (SALVO) Campaign Qualitative Characterization of Snowpack Stratigraphy from April - June, 2024 in Utqiagivk, AK},

  author       = {Clemens-Sewall, David and Sturm, Matthew and Oggier, Marc and Delamere, Jennifer},

  abstractNote = {The physical structure of the snowpack is impacted by and impacts the exchange of energy with the atmosphere. Qualitative characterization of snowpack stratigraphy in snow pits provides context for what physical processes are changing the snow (e.g., melt, wind-packing, hoar formation). 36 snowpits were dug as part of the 2024 Snow Albedo Evolution (SALVO) field campaign. Snow grain stratigraphy was recorded using standard International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) snow grain classification ( https://cryosphericsciences.org/publications/snow-classification/) and hand hardness tests (in order of least hard to hardest: F (fist), 4F (four fingers), 1F (one finger), P (pencil), K (knife), I (ice)). These snowpits were generally co-located with library site albedo measurements and are given the same index (Date, Site, Location, Position) when appropriate (see broadband and spectral albedo data archived from the SALVO II project).},

  doi          = {10.5439/3010844},

  journal      = {},

  number       = ,

  volume       = ,

  place        = {United States},

  year         = {Mon Dec 29 04:00:00 UTC 2025},

  month        = {Mon Dec 29 04:00:00 UTC 2025}

}

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.5439/3010844

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