Snow Data
Location:
Coordinates:
Elevation:

Note: There may be discontinuity in the plotted data due to sensor calibration issues.



snow
Note: It is helpful to view multiple time-scale plots when assessing snow depth.
Snow Data Interpretation and Quality Plots
Sensor Photos

Sensor Operation
Automated snow depth measurements are made with the Campbell Scientific SR50 ultrasonic distance sensor. The SR50 distance sensor measures distance to the snow surface with an ultrasonic pulse. The sensor “sees” a measurement cone of 22 degrees from the bottom of the sensor to the target (snow surface). The sensor measures the distance from it to the target (in this case it is the ground surface or snow surface). Since the speed of sound is affected by the temperature of the air it is traveling in, an air temperature measurement is required to correct the distance reading. To calculate snow depth, this distance to target measurement is subtracted from the field measured distance to ground surface. The sensor records measurements at one minute intervals and reports hourly averages. Potential inherent errors exist, including: wind and blowing snow creating spurious data readings; difficulty in establishing a zero point due to tussocks, low shrubs, grass, etc.; ground heave altering sensor height and angle; cable breakages due to wildlife; and surface hoar crystals on sensor.