Snow Science Day Master Naturalist Program Jan-15-2011

Snow Science day

                                           January 15 2011   
Location : SNRA Headquarters
                  8 miles North of Ketchum
Class Time: 9:30 to 15:30
First observations :  @ 9:00   
        Temperature :       7 F
         Sky              :    Light clouds,  high cirrus
                                  Abundant sun
         Ground        :  Frozen and dry
          Wind           :  Slight breeze down valley

    Course content :  Snow impact on community and 
                                implications for water in the West
                                 Snow versus rain
                               : Snow formation and types and 
                                   metamorphosis
                               : Snow pit exploration and  snow to
                                  water ratio measurement.  


Snow Exploration
                                                                                                                                                                                                

Digging an exploration pit

                                                                                                                          

Observing layers

All the layers

                                                                                                                   

Observing crystal types

Collecting snow for snow to

                                                        water equivalent calculations.                                   

                                           
   Notes : New words - Albedo : % of light reflected
                                             Sublimation : Transition from solid to gas without passing through a liquid stage.