Physical Sciences and Mathematics Commons^™

Changes To Snowpack Energy State From Spring Storm Events, Columbia River Headwaters, Montana, Zachary M. Seligman, Joel T. Harper, Marco P. Maneta

Geosciences Faculty Publications

The generation and release of meltwater during the spring snowmelt season can be delayed because of spring storm episodes with snow accumulation and/or sustained subfreezing temperatures. The delayed release of snowmelt often extends beyond the particular storm event because of changes to the internal state of energy in the snowpack that prevents transmission of meltwater. Following a storm, two energy deficits internal to the snowpack must be overcome before surface melt can drain and exit the snowpack: 1) cold content created by heat lost during the episode must be removed and 2) dry pore space must be filled with liquid …