The spatial distribution of snow water equivalent (SWE) represents the single most important variable to distributed snow modeling efforts. Case studies assessing the performance of spatially distributed models of snow processes commonly initialize at the time near maximum snow accumulation, where the spatial distribution of SWE has been determined from measurements. This probably results from the difficulty in modeling spatial patterns of snow fall and subsequent redistribution. We report on a preliminary study to explore the spatial variability of snow accumulation and depletion at seven sites in a subalpine setting, varying in elevation, slope, aspect and forest stand characteristics. We collected snow depth, SWE and storm snow accumulation at each site during the winter and thaw of 1996-1997 at Mammoth Mountain, California. While the number of measurements collected over one season so far are not sufficient to determine statistically significant trends, the data show some interesting patterns, which we report here. Over a range of elevation from about 2500 m to 3000 m, a range of aspects from east to west, swing around the north, and a range of forest stand characteristics, SWE appears primarily sensitive to elevation. This suggests that processes of wind redistribution and interception/sublimation are not as important as in other settings.

#Snow Survey Consultants
Route 1 P.O. Box 1137
Crowley Lake, CA 93546