A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting

<p>Snowpack models can provide detailed insight about the evolution of the snow stratigraphy in a way that is not possible with direct observations. However, the lack of suitable data aggregation methods currently prevents the effective use of the available information, which is commonly reduc...

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Main Authors: F. Herla, P. Haegeli, P. Mair
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Copernicus Publications 2022-08-01
Series:The Cryosphere
Online Access:https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/3149/2022/tc-16-3149-2022.pdf
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author F. Herla
P. Haegeli
P. Mair
author_facet F. Herla
P. Haegeli
P. Mair
author_sort F. Herla
collection DOAJ
description <p>Snowpack models can provide detailed insight about the evolution of the snow stratigraphy in a way that is not possible with direct observations. However, the lack of suitable data aggregation methods currently prevents the effective use of the available information, which is commonly reduced to bulk properties and summary statistics of the entire snow column or individual grid cells. This is only of limited value for operational avalanche forecasting and has substantially hampered the application of spatially distributed simulations, as well as the development of comprehensive ensemble systems. To address this challenge, we present an averaging algorithm for snow profiles that effectively synthesizes large numbers of snow profiles into a meaningful overall perspective of the existing conditions. Notably, the algorithm enables compiling of informative summary statistics and distributions of snowpack layers, which creates new opportunities for presenting and analyzing distributed and ensemble snowpack simulations.</p>
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spelling doaj.art-aea46f9324eb48ce897ec6b01cd4d9da2022-12-22T02:09:06ZengCopernicus PublicationsThe Cryosphere1994-04161994-04242022-08-01163149316210.5194/tc-16-3149-2022A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecastingF. Herla0P. Haegeli1P. Mair2Department of Geography, School of Resource & Environmental Management, and Centre for Natural Hazards Research, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, CanadaDepartment of Geography, School of Resource & Environmental Management, and Centre for Natural Hazards Research, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC, CanadaDepartment of Psychology, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, USA<p>Snowpack models can provide detailed insight about the evolution of the snow stratigraphy in a way that is not possible with direct observations. However, the lack of suitable data aggregation methods currently prevents the effective use of the available information, which is commonly reduced to bulk properties and summary statistics of the entire snow column or individual grid cells. This is only of limited value for operational avalanche forecasting and has substantially hampered the application of spatially distributed simulations, as well as the development of comprehensive ensemble systems. To address this challenge, we present an averaging algorithm for snow profiles that effectively synthesizes large numbers of snow profiles into a meaningful overall perspective of the existing conditions. Notably, the algorithm enables compiling of informative summary statistics and distributions of snowpack layers, which creates new opportunities for presenting and analyzing distributed and ensemble snowpack simulations.</p>https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/3149/2022/tc-16-3149-2022.pdf
spellingShingle F. Herla
P. Haegeli
P. Mair
A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
The Cryosphere
title A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
title_full A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
title_fullStr A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
title_full_unstemmed A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
title_short A data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
title_sort data exploration tool for averaging and accessing large data sets of snow stratigraphy profiles useful for avalanche forecasting
url https://tc.copernicus.org/articles/16/3149/2022/tc-16-3149-2022.pdf
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