Snow

 
Snowmelt contributes considerably to the runoff in rivers and to water reservoirs, and it is therefore important to have good estimates of the amount of snow during winter.

Reliable estimates of the snow conditions can be vital in for example predicting flood situations, and for the planning of hydropower production.

There is also a need of knowledge of the amount and distribution of snow within climate research and avalanche forecasting. Snow is important in connection with the local and global climate, weather conditions, flora and fauna, and in relation to infrastructure and recreation.
 
The amount of snow is often reported as “the snow water equivalent” (in m or mm). This is a measure of the amount of water per area that would result from melting of the snowpack. The snow water equivalent is a function of the depth and density of the snow.

Department of Hydrology holds the following snow data:

• Data from 25 snow pillows spread across Norway (mainly mountain areas)
• Snow surveys
• Remotely sensed data
• Snow surveys on glaciers

The collected snow data are utilised in for example:

• Modelling of the amount and distribution of snow in Norway on a daily basis (SeNorge.no). These simulations are further used for the description of  the national water resources situation and the national flood forecasting.
• Weekly published snow reports about the snow conditions in Norway
• Are to be used for testing of an avalanche forecasting system for Norway

For information of present snow conditions in Norway, see www.seNorge.no