Cryosphere glossary
snow extent
the total land area covered by some amount of snow; typically reported in square kilometers.
snow flurry
snow that falls for short durations and which often changes in intensity; flurries usually produce little accumulation.
snow grains
precipitation in the form of very small, white opaque ice particles; they resemble snow pellets but are more flattened and elongated, with a diameter less than 1 mm; the solid equivalent of drizzle.
snow layer
a layer of ice crystals with similar size and shape.
snow line
the minimum elevation of snow lying on the ground or glacier surface; the snow line at the end of an ablation season marks a glacier's current equilibrium line.
snow load
the downward force on an object or structure caused by the weight of accumulated snow.
snow patch
relatively small area of snow cover remaining after the main snowmelt period.
snow pellets
precipitation in the form of small, white opaque ice particles; resemble ice grains, but are round (sometimes conical) and about 2-5 mm in diameter.
snow pillow
a large, flat instrument that measures and reports the water weight of snowpack on the ground. The weight of water is the snow water equivalent (SWE).
snow roller
roll-like snow formation, caused by a unique combination of snow, wind, temperature and moisture
snow squall
a brief, but intense fall of snow that greatly reduces visibility and which is often accompanied by strong winds.
snow water equivalent
the water content obtained if all snowpack at a location melted instantly. Because snow contains a mix of water (ice and liquid) and air, the snow water equivalent (SWE) is less than the depth of the snow on the ground.
snow worm
an oligochaete worm that lives on temperate glaciers or perennial snow; there are several species that range in color from yellowish-brown to reddish-brown or black; they are usually less than 1 millimeter (0.04 inch) in diameter and average about 3 millimeters (0.1 inch) in length; some feed off red algae.
snowblink
a bright white glare on the underside of clouds, produced by the reflection of light from a snow-covered surface; snowblink is lighter than ice blink, and much lighter than land sky or water sky.
snowbursts
very intense showers of snow, often of short duration, that greatly restrict visibility and produce periods of rapid snow accumulation.
snowdrift
an accumulation or bank of snow formed when wind blows snow against an obstruction; often considerably thicker than the surrounding snowcover.
snowdrift glacier
a semipermanent mass of firn formed by drifted snow behind obstructions or in the ground; also called a catchment glacier or a drift glacier.
snowfall
new snow that has fallen out of the atmosphere and accumulated since the previous day or since the previous observation.
snowflake
a cluster of ice crystals that falls from a cloud.
snowmelt
melting of the snowcover, and also the period during which melting of the snow cover occurs at the end of the winter.