Item: The 2008 International Classification of Seasonal Snow on the Ground
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Title: The 2008 International Classification of Seasonal Snow on the Ground
Proceedings: Proceedings Whistler 2008 International Snow Science Workshop September 21-27, 2008
Authors:
- C. Fierz [ WSL Institute for Snow and Avalanche Research SLF, Davos, Switzerland ]
- R. L. Armstrong [ National Snow and Ice Data Center NSIDC, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA ]
- Y. Durand [ Centre d’Etudes de la Neige CEN, Météo-France, St Martin d’Hères, France ]
- P. Etchevers [ Centre d’Etudes de la Neige CEN, Météo-France, St Martin d’Hères, France ]
- E. Greene [ Colorado Avalanche Information Center CAIC, Boulder, CO, USA ]
- D. M. McClung [ Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada ]
- K. Nishimura [ Department of Environmental Science, Faculty of Science, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan ]
- P. K. Satyawali [ Snow and Avalanche Study Estab lishment SASE, Manali HP, India ]
- S. A. Sokratov [ Research Laboratory of Snow Avalanches and Debris Flows, Faculty of Geography, Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia ]
Date: 2008-09-22
Abstract: The "International Classification for Seasonal Snow on the Ground" published in 1990 is now well accepted by most snow scientists and practitioners around the world. Nevertheless, the snow community felt some points needed to be revised. Most problems were spotted within the classification of wet snow and crusts, but also in conjunction with polar snow, blowing snow, snow in forests or on how well a non-specialist end-user may be able to use the classification. In 2003, a working group on Snow Classification was established by the former International Commission on Snow and Ice (ICSI) that now has become the International Association of Cryospheric Sciences (IACS) within the International Union of Geodesy and Geophysics (IUGG). Based on feedbacks provided by both practitioners and scientists, the Working Group discussed and implemented necessary changes to the 1990 snow classification. The revised classification has then been reviewed by a representative committee of worldwide snow practitioners, snow researchers and agencies. The 2008 classification will be published by UNESCO in the series a "Technical Documents in Hydrology" and will be downloadable from the web. Here we will present the main revisions focusing on those of importance for snow and avalanche practitioners and scientists.
Object ID: P__8225.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s): Charles Fierz
Keywords: snow, snow classification, snow cover, snow metamorphism, snow properties, snow stratigraphy
Page Number(s): 579
Subjects: education
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