How do you measure snowfall totals?
theweathernetwork.com
Thursday, December 8, 2016, 10:32 AM - While technology has propelled meteorology forward, sometimes you can't beat the classics.
Measuring snowfall, for example, is important but not always done properly. National weather organizations often depend on the hard work of volunteers to obtain information from remote places.
"The most reliable measurements are frequently reported at major airports across the country," said Brett Soderholm, meteorologist at The Weather Network. "When no measurements are able to be reliably recorded at an airport, frequently volunteer observations from various communities across the country will be used as an approximation."
One of the most accurate ways for volunteers to go about recording snowfall heights is to use a snowboard. This involves a piece of wood painted white, laid flat on the ground. Measuring snow from the grass can lead to artificial scores, since the blades of grass could inflate the value. It's also important to find a position for it where it is not subject to drifting. The board must be wiped clean before each measurement is going to be taken. A second snowboard is sometimes placed nearby and is not wiped clean. This one serves the purpose of measuring snow depth.
Image credit: Dawna Eichhorn
Once the snow has fallen, it's important to measure the snow to the closest centimetre possible. Once you've recorded the number, make sure to wipe off the snow from the board.
Another important number that meteorologists require is the snow depth—which is the amount of snow that has fallen from previous snow events.
But when volunteers aren't the best option, where does the information come from?
"Multiple measurements are taken over a given area and then averaged. These measurements are taken in locations that are deemed to be sufficiently removed from any localized effects that can throw off the total reported accumulation, such as being close to a tall building, or being a wind-prone area that causes snow to blow around and accumulate non-uniformly," Soderholm said.
