ENVIRSC 1A03 Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Arctic Circle, Permafrost, Active Layer
8 Nov 2015
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Document Summary
In the west, snowfall occurs at higher elevations. In the east, the lower temperature favours snow over rain: amount of snow is determined by amount of water vapour content in the air as well as cooling or condensation. In the east, there is an increase with latitude: maximum depth of snowfall in canada is controlled by proximity to moisture sources. Length of snow cover is controlled by winter temperature, which is lowest closest to the arctic circle. Snowline: the point at which snow and ice cover the ground throughout the year; combination of altitude and latitude effect placement of snow line. Patterns of snow cover: determinants of the pattern are the timing, timing of melt, onset of snow accumulation, maximum depth, and the length of the season, magnitude, how much snow fall, rate of snow fall. Factors that lead to stable homogenous snow cover: vegetated ground, high density snow, and calm conditions with little wind.
