Observational Evaluation of the Snow Breeze

Abstract

An observational evaluation of the daytime thermally induced flow between the snow and snow-free areas (termed snow breeze) has been carded out. Aircraft measurements within the lower atmosphere made in the winter of 1988 reveal large temperature reductions over the snow cover relative to the bare ground implying the potential for snow-breeze generation. The aircraft flights were generally made under unfavorable synoptic conditions although in one particular case with a moderate synoptic flow, a snow breeze was clearly identified. A less distinctive snow breeze was indicated in a second case. Observed features and a scaling analysis of relevance to snow breezes are presented.