Snöfronter

Snöfronter is a term used in Swedish meteorology and geography to describe the moving boundary between snow-covered and snow-free surfaces on the landscape during a snow event or within a seasonal snow cover. The exact position of the snöfront is not fixed; it shifts in response to weather conditions, sun exposure, wind, and the underlying ground conditions.

The snowfront is influenced by several factors. Temperature contrasts between air and surface determine whether falling snow accumulates or melts on contact. Solar radiation and daytime warming can cause snow to melt from exposed areas, pushing the front upslope or downslope as conditions allow. Wind redistributes snow, creating uneven fronts where sheltered areas retain snow while exposed ridges become bare or accumulate snow more heavily on leeward slopes. Ground conditions, such as soil warmth and moisture, also affect accumulation and persistence of snow at the front.

In practice, the snöfront is relevant for road maintenance, aviation and railway operations, avalanche risk assessment, and hydrological modelling, since its location influences insulation, melt timing, runoff patterns, and the availability of snow as a water reservoir. In mountainous regions, the front often correlates with aspect and elevation, with north-facing slopes typically retaining snow longer than sun-exposed south-facing slopes.

See also: snow line, snow cover, snowpack, avalanche hazard.