i am reviewing the importance of seasonal snow cover. I am curious to know how seasonal snow cover affect climate, hydrological processes and human activities. Your views and link to journal articles is appreciated.
Seasonal snow layer acts, for example, as a positive feedback factor in the decrease in the winter temperature, since it greatly increases the albedo (up to 80-90%) and therefore influences the persistence in the area of high thermal pressures. As for the hydrological processes, for example, it promotes infiltration and percolation and reduces surface runoff, therefore intervene positively in aquifer recharge.
I agree to Francisco, but the effect depends very much on average temperature of air and soil, thickness of snow, and length of snow period. With frozen soil, water cannot infiltrate, and in the case of fast snow melting and surface runoff, water content in soil can be significantly reduced after winter.
I agree, the circumstances are different and may attend, as you aim well, thickness and length are important. also if the ground is frozen previously, the infiltration will be impossible, but if not, freezing it under the snow cover will be very difficult, as this will act as insulation against temperature air.
Yes, depends on the region... freezing soil above 1.5 km of permanent frost (like Northern Siberia) is not a problem...
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