Wind caused snow drifting plays a dominant role in the redistribution of snow mass that restructures a snowpack. Strong wind activity at the mountain tops results in uneven distribution of snow with erosion on windward side and deposition on leeward areas. Such snowdrift events are responsible for the formation of cornices, increase in the loading of avalanche release zones on the leeward side and consequent increase in the level of avalanche hazard. In this paper, we present the results of snowdrift measurement using an acoustic snow-drift meter, the FlowCapt, built by IAV Engineering, which was used during winter seasons of 2007–2010 at a field research station of Snow and Avalanche Study Establishment (SASE) in the western Himalayas. The aim of the study was to evaluate the suitability of the instrument in measuring snowdrift in the Himalayan weather conditions. Results proved the utility of the instrument as a useful tool to study drifting snow in remote areas. However, in the absence of conventional snow gauges for validation, the quality of the absolute snow flux data could not be ascertained.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to thank Shri. Ashwagosha Ganju, Director, Snow & Avalanche Study Establishment, for allowing them to carry out this research. Special thanks are due to Shri. Piyush Joshi for providing valuable guidance and Shri. S K Bhararia and Shri. R Chouhan for field assistance. The efforts made by Dr M R Bhutiyani and Dr J C Kapil in improving the quality of the manuscript are also acknowledged.
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DAS, R.K., DATT, P. & ACHARYA, A. An assessment of the FlowCapt acoustic sensor for measuring snowdrift in the Indian Himalayas. J Earth Syst Sci 121, 1483–1491 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-012-0234-2
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12040-012-0234-2