Item: Comparison and classification of an Arctic Transitional snow climate in Tromsø, Norway
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Title: Comparison and classification of an Arctic Transitional snow climate in Tromsø, Norway
Proceedings: International Snow Science Workshop Proceedings 2018, Innsbruck, Austria
Authors:
- Paul Velsand [ Department of Geosciences, The Arctic University of Tromsø, Norway ] [ Wyssen Avalanche Control, Norway ]
- Markus Eckerstorfer [ Norut — Northern Research Institute, Tromsø, Norway ]
- Rune V. Engeset [ Norwegian Water Resources and Energy Directorate, Oslo, Norway ]
Date: 2018-10-07
Abstract: Tromsø, Norway has a relatively mild climate and high precipitation levels compared to other locations at similar latitudes. Winter tourism in Tromsø has increased considerably in recent years, consequently also the skiing tourism. It is advertised that Tromsø has a mild coastal climate compared to other destinations at similar latitudes. Existing snow climate classes separate snow covers into maritime, continental and transitional classes where persistent weak layers are rare in the maritime class. Rain and average air temperatures during the snow season are decisive factors for a snow pack to be classified as maritime or not. In total 76 snow profiles from one coastal and one inland location during the winter season 2016-2017, in addition to meteorological data from 1957 to 2017, is the basis for classification of the snow cover climate in the Tromsø area in this study. An Arctic transitional snow climate was classified as having multiple rain-induced crusts during relatively warmer years and extensive depth hoar formation during relatively colder years, where the frequency of constructive metamorphism increased inland. This type of snow cover classification is useful in many ways. Spatial comparison with other areas, both national and international, becomes possible. Temporal comparison, by making a description of the relationship between weak layers and climate, can be done. Also, it provides the Tromsø area with its own snow climate describing typical processes influencing snow and snow stability.
Object ID: ISSW2018_P10.24.pdf
Language of Article: English
Presenter(s):
Keywords: snow climatology, transitional snow climate, spatial variability, arctic snow climate
Page Number(s): 981-984
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