Item: Operational Use of the Model Crocus by French Avalanche Forecast Services
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Title: Operational Use of the Model Crocus by French Avalanche Forecast Services
Proceedings: 1990 International Snow Science Workshop, Bigfork, Montana USA, October 9-13
Authors:
- E. Brun [ Meteorologie Nationale Centre, d'Etudes de la Neige, BP 44 Domaine Universitaire, 38402 St-Martin d 'Heres France ]
Date: 1990
Abstract: Since 1971, the operational avalanche forecasting is operated by the french national meteorological service in the Alpes and in the Pyrenees. In the Alps, about 100 snow weather stations provide twice a day with informations on weather and on snow surface state and once a week with snow pit informations to describe the internal state of the snow cover. These informations are at the basis of snowcover stability analysis. Even over a small mountain area, snowcover is characterized by a great variability due to different altitudes, slopes and orientation and 100 snow pits in the french Alps are not enough to describe the whole natural diversity. Furthermore, snowcover state may vary significantly during a week and, sometimes, the avalanche forecaster waits impatiently for the next snow profiles. That is to solve this lack of informations that we have developed a numerical model of snow cover which simulates snow profiles from the observed or forecasted weather conditions.
Language of Article: English
Presenters: Unknown
Keywords: snow pit, snow cover, stability, altitudes, slopes, orientation
Page Number(s): 31-37
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Digital Abstract Not Available
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