Schneemenge

Schneemenge is a meteorological and hydrological term describing the amount of snow present on a given surface within a defined area. It can be quantified as snow depth (Schneehöhe) or as snow water equivalent (SWE), the latter representing the amount of liquid water contained in the snowpack. SWE is commonly used in hydrology and water resources assessment because it relates directly to potential meltwater and streamflow.

Measurement methods vary by purpose and scale. Snow depth is typically measured with standard gauges or snow stakes. SWE is estimated through snow pillows, where the snow’s liquid water potential is recorded, and through density measurements or core sampling to convert depth to SWE. Automatic weather stations often report both metrics. Remote sensing methods, including lidar, radar, and satellite observations, provide spatially distributed estimates with varying uncertainties, complementing ground-based surveys and snow courses. Field campaigns and model outputs also contribute to a fuller picture of Schneemenge over a landscape.

Schneemenge data support a range of applications, including flood forecasting, reservoir and hydropower management, irrigation planning, and climate research. They inform avalanche risk assessments and winter road maintenance, as well as ecological studies related to snow influence on habitats and soil moisture.

Dynamics and regional variability are governed by snowfall, temperature, wind, and sublimation, which alter both snow depth and density. Snowpack evolves through accumulation, metamorphism, compaction, melting, and refreezing, creating spatially heterogeneous Schneemenge that changes with season and weather patterns. See also Snow cover, Snowpack, and Snow water equivalent.