Item: Observations on the Growth Process and Strength Characteristics of Surface Hoar
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Title: Observations on the Growth Process and Strength Characteristics of Surface Hoar
Proceedings: 1984 International Snow Science Workshop, Aspen, Colorado, USA
Authors:
- R.M. Lang
- B.R. Leo
- R.L. Brown
Date: 1984
Abstract: A field study conducted during the winter months of 1982-83 and 1983-84 at the Big Sky Ski Area, Big Sky, Montana, indicated that nocturnal clear-sky radiative heat loss from the snow surface did not necessarily predispose condensation onto the surface, even in the presence of temperature gradients in excess of 200·C/m. The initiation of "surface hoar" growth corresponded to a variety of atmospheric and snow surface conditions. Mechanical shear strength tests, conducted on established surface hoar layers, indicated that although a layer would become visually undetectable, shear strength remained too low to measure for extended periods of time.
Object ID: ISSW-1984-188-195.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Unknown
Keywords: heat loss, snow surface, temperature gradients, surface hoar, shear strength
Page Number(s): 188-195
Subjects: growth process surface hoar big sky ski area
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