A Seasonal Snow Cover Classification System for Local to Global Applications

A new classification system for seasonal snow covers is proposed. It has six classes (tundra, taiga, alpine, maritime, prairie, and ephemeral, each class defined by a unique ensemble of textural and stratigraphic characteristics including the sequence of snow layers, their thickness, density, and the crystal morphology and grain characteristics within each layer. The classes can also be derived using a binary system of three climate variables: wind, precipitation, and air temperature. Using this classification system, the Northern Hemisphere distribution of the snow cover classes is mapped on a 0.5° lat × 0.5° long grid. These maps are compared to maps prepared from snow cover data collected in the former Soviet Union and Alaska. For these areas where both climatologically based and texturally based snow cover maps are available, there is 62% and 90% agreement, respectively. Five of the six snow classes are found in Alaska. From 1989 through 1992, hourly measurements, consisting of 40 thermal and physical parameters, including snow depth, the temperature distribution in the snow, and basal heat flow, were made on four of these classes. In addition, snow stratigraphy and texture were measured every six weeks. Factor analysis indicates that the snow classes can be readily discriminated using four or more winter average thermal or physical parameters. Further, analysis of hourly time series indicates that 84% of the time, spot measurements of the parameters are sufficient to correctly differentiate the snow cover class. Using the new snow classification system, 1) classes can readily be distinguished using observations of simple thermal parameters, 2) physical and thermal attributes of the snow can be inferred, and 3) classes can be mapped from climate data for use in regional and global climate modeling.