Item: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SNOW CORNICE DEVELOPMENT ON ARTIFICIAL VERTICAL SECTIONS
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Title: OBSERVATIONAL STUDY OF SNOW CORNICE DEVELOPMENT ON ARTIFICIAL VERTICAL SECTIONS
Proceedings: Proceedings, International Snow Science Workshop, Whistler, BC, Canada, 2026
Authors:
- Takahiro Tanabe [ National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Yamagata, Japan ]
- Kouichi Nshimura [ Yukiken Snow Eaters, Hokkaido, Japan ]
- Taiki Nunokawa [ Yukiken Snow Eaters, Hokkaido, Japan ]
- Yoshihiko Saito [ Yukiken Snow Eaters, Hokkaido, Japan ]
- Tsubasa Okaze [ Institute of Science Tokyo, Kanagawa, Japan ]
- Satoru Adachi [ National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Yamagata, Japan ]
- Satoru Yamaguchi [ National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Niigata, Japan ]
- Yoichi Ito [ National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Niigata, Japan ]
- Sojiro Sunako [ National Research Institute for Earth Science and Disaster Resilience, Niigata, Japan ]
- Hirofumi Niiya [ Niigata University, Niigata, Japan ]
Date: 2026-09-28
Abstract: Snow cornices are overhanging accumulations of wind-transported snow that frequently develop along mountain ridges and may trigger avalanches when they collapse. Although previous studies have documented the seasonal evolution of cornices, the short-term processes governing their formation remain poorly understood because continuous field observations are scarce. In this study, we conducted a field observation campaign at Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort, Hokkaido, Japan, during a blowing-snow event from 7 to 8 March 2026. Artificial vertical snow sections were prepared prior to the event, and the temporal evolution of cornice growth was monitored using a 2D line LiDAR. Wind speed, wind direction, blowing-snow mass flux, snow surface elevation were also measured, together with UAV-mounted LiDAR surveys and visual observations. The observations revealed rapid cornice development around midnight, during which the cornice thickness increased by several centimeters within 10 min. The vertical profiles showed a repeating pattern consisting of two successive stage: snow first accumulated several meters upwind of the vertical section, followed by deposition immediately adjacent to the section. Repetition of these stages resulted in progressive outward cornice growth. Simultaneously, snow accumulated beneath the overhang until it merged with the upper snowpack to form a continuous slope. In contrast, no distinctive changes in wind speed, gust factor, or blowing-snow mass flux were associated with the rapid growth period. These observations suggest that cornice growth results from the simultaneous development of the overhanging snow and the underlying snowpack, rather than solely from snow adhering to the underside of the overhang. The results provide new insights into the short-term snow cornice formation processes and offer valuable information for improving hazard assessment and winter mountain safety.
Object ID: ISSW2026_P4.15.pdf
DOI: https://doi.org/10.15788/1790099274
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Takahiro Tanabe
Keywords: Snow cornice, blowing snow, ski resort, hazard assessment
Page Number(s): 728 - 734
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