Cryosphere glossary
the total land area covered by some amount of snow; typically reported in square kilometers.
snow that falls for short durations and which often changes in intensity; flurries usually produce little accumulation.
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.
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.
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.
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).
roll-like snow formation, caused by a unique combination of snow, wind, temperature and moisture
a brief, but intense fall of snow that greatly reduces visibility and which is often accompanied by strong winds.
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.
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.
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.
very intense showers of snow, often of short duration, that greatly restrict visibility and produce periods of rapid snow accumulation.
an accumulation or bank of snow formed when wind blows snow against an obstruction; often considerably thicker than the surrounding snowcover.
a semipermanent mass of firn formed by drifted snow behind obstructions or in the ground; also called a catchment glacier or a drift glacier.
new snow that has fallen out of the atmosphere and accumulated since the previous day or since the previous observation.
melting of the snowcover, and also the period during which melting of the snow cover occurs at the end of the winter.