Linesnow

Linesnow is a term used in meteorology-inspired data visualization and generative art to describe a representation of snowfall that is organized along linear features. The name combines lines and snow to emphasize the focus on linear patterns in snow distribution rather than patch-based or purely raster depictions. Although not a formal meteorological term, linesnow appears in scholarly and artistic contexts to discuss how snowfall can align with wind corridors, elevation contours, or infrastructure lines.

Origins and usage: The concept emerged in experimental visualization communities in the early 2010s as a way to communicate the spatial structure of snow events. It has since appeared in GIS demonstrations and generative-graphics projects that map snowfall intensity, rate, or depth onto lines derived from vector fields or topography. In practice, linesnow representations may use line networks, iso-lines, or ridge-following algorithms to produce stylized maps where line density reflects snowfall magnitude along a chosen feature.

Methods: Producing linesnow visuals often involves transforming gridded snowfall data into a network of lines through edge detection, ridge detection on scalar fields, or tracing vectors from wind or slope directions. Output formats include GeoJSON, SVG, and shapefiles, suitable for integration with mapping platforms and art software. It is typically treated as a niche concept within visualization rather than a standard forecasting technique.

See also: snow line, isopleth, line integral, geographic information system. Notes: primarily a concept used in visualization and art contexts rather than official meteorology.