Mass transfer in the snow strata under conditions of large temperature gradients

Abstract

In the winter of 2022-2023, a study of the crystal structure of hoarfrost horizons on the slopes of Mount Elbrus was carried out in conditions of the low-snow winter period. By means of a digital portable microscope the data were obtained, according to which, the average size of crystals of hoarfrost is 1.5- 2.5 mm, and the most frequent form of crystals of hoarfrost is flat skeletal, columnar faceted and columnar semi-skeletal forms. The study confirmed the previously observed regularity that mass transfer in the snow column depends on the magnitude of the temperature gradient, the degree of water vapor saturation in the transit zones which, among other things, are influenced by the snow cover thickness and absolute height.

Keywords

• mass transfer
• recrystallization
• temperature gradient
• hoarfrost
• avalanche hazard