Soil temperatures and snow accumulation: Debunking the myth

[WxMan1]

A very nice study (NWA presentation) put together by Elizabeth Smith.  I certainly hope this puts an end to all the "warm ground will limit snow accumulation" rhetoric.

 

It all comes down to the snowfall rates (surprise!)

 

http://prezi.com/iehzdsmlputr/investigating-the-role-of-two-inch-soil-temperatures-in-snowfall/

 

 

[Absolute Humidity]

It always amazed me to see how fast heavy snow can cover warm ground, even paved surfaces after days of 60+ temps with no prior freezing. Two examples I find best were 1-14-06 and 11-7-12. The first event had a high temp of 67 at 12pm, by midnight, a flash freeze occurred with 4" snow on all surfaces. The 2nd event occurred 1 week after Sandy. 13" of snow fell on all surfaces with mostly above freezing air temps. Very heavy concrete like paste. Ground was quite warm, but not as warm as the 1st event.

[Amped]

A very nice study (NWA presentation) put together by Elizabeth Smith.  I certainly hope this puts an end to all the "warm ground will limit snow accumulation" rhetoric.

 

It all comes down to the snowfall rates (surprise!)

 

http://prezi.com/iehzdsmlputr/investigating-the-role-of-two-inch-soil-temperatures-in-snowfall/

Looking at snowfall rates instead of just snowfall totals is an essential part of snowfall forecasting in the short range. The only surprise is when it's overlooked by many posters on this board, who are just trying to get a quick high from the latest NAM run.

[WxUSAF]

Great stuff.  We'll need to bump this thread every time we get a snow event.