A novel sensor combination (upGPR-GPS) to continuously and nondestructively derive snow cover properties


Contact
Olaf.Eisen [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

Monitoring seasonal snow cover properties is critical for properly managing natural hazards such as snow avalanches or snowmelt floods. However, measurements often cannot be conducted in difficult terrain or lack the high temporal resolution needed to account for rapid changes in the snowpack, e.g., liquid water content (LWC). To monitor essential snowpack properties, we installed an upward looking ground-penetrating radar (upGPR) and a low-cost GPS system below the snow cover and observed in parallel its evolution during two winter seasons. Applying external snow height (HS) information, both systems provided consistent LWC estimates in snow, based on independent approaches, namely measurements of travel time and attenuation of electromagnetic waves. By combining upGPR and GPS, we now obtain a self-contained approach instead of having to rely on external information such as HS. This allows for the first time determining LWC, HS, and snow water equivalent (SWE) nondestructively and continuously potentially also in avalanche-prone slopes.



Item Type
Article
Authors
Divisions
Primary Division
Programs
Primary Topic
Publication Status
Published
Eprint ID
37933
DOI 10.1002/2015GL063732

Cite as
Schmid, L. , Koch, F. , Heilig, A. , Prasch, M. , Eisen, O. , Mauser, W. and Schweizer, J. (2015): A novel sensor combination (upGPR-GPS) to continuously and nondestructively derive snow cover properties , Geophysical Research Letters, 42 (9), pp. 3397-3405 . doi: 10.1002/2015GL063732


Download
[thumbnail of Schmid_et_al-2015-Geophysical_Research_Letters.pdf]
Preview
PDF
Schmid_et_al-2015-Geophysical_Research_Letters.pdf

Download (3MB) | Preview
Cite this document as:

Share
Add to AnyAdd to TwitterAdd to FacebookAdd to LinkedinAdd to PinterestAdd to Email


Citation

Geographical region

Research Platforms
N/A

Campaigns
N/A


Actions
Edit Item Edit Item