Snow cover investigations and avalanche formation in mountain forests : Avalanches and Related Subjects

1997

S. 140-144

9 Lit. Ang.

Bandaufführung

102261

Snow cover measurements in different parts of mountain forests are shown. Aim of these measurements is to investigate the conditions for snow slab release in low density forests. We found that radiation balance was fairly high (in clear nights -30 to -40 W/m¬) in forests with a close canopy. But we could observe lower values inside openings and gaps of larch stands. Moreover, radiation balance inside the gaüs was almost the same than on open field. We measured -60 to -80 W/m¬ in clear nigths, which means that snow surface temperatures must decrease rapidly. Thus it was assumed that weak layers (surface hoar etc.) might occur not only on open field but also in low density stands and forests with gaps and openings.