资源环境科技发展态势分析平台

An equation was proposed to model the height of blowing snow accumulation downwind of an obstacle such as vegetation, a snow fence, a building, or a topographic feature. The equation does not require aerodynamic flow condition parameters such as wind speed, allowing for the spatial distribution of snow to be determined at locations where meteorological data is not available. However, snow particle diffusion, drift, and erosion coefficients must be estimated for application of the equation. These coefficients can be used to provide insight into the relative magnitude of blowing snow processes at a field location. Further research is required to determine efficient methods for coefficient estimation. The equation could be used with other models of wind-transported snow to predict snow accumulation downwind of an obstacle without the need for wind speed adjustments or correction equations. Applications for this equation include the design of snow fences, and the use of this equation with other hydrological models to predict snow distribution, climate change, drought, flooding, and avalanches.

Plain Language Summary Snow is carried by wind, and snowdrifts often accumulate downwind of trees, a fence, a building, or a mountain ridge. Ohara [2017] came up with a math equation that can determine the shape of the snow drift without the need for measurements of wind speed. This is useful when wind speed measurements are not available. Determining the shape of the snow drift allows scientists to better understand the physics related to how snow is moved by the wind at a certain location. The equation is useful since it could be used to design snow fences, which reduce blowing snow and increase visibility near roads. Snow fences are also used to make snow accumulate on fields so that the water from melting snow can help to grow crops. Also, the equation can be used with other equations to better predict the accumulation of snow in cold regions so that climate change, drought or flooding can be predicted. Snow accumulation on mountain ridges could be determined and used to make avalanche predictions. However, the math equation requires some inputs that are not easy to calculate and more research is required to determine the best way to find these inputs.