Accession Number:

AD1064215

Title:

Snow Strategic Science Plan

Descriptive Note:

Technical Report

Corporate Author:

COLD REGIONS RESEARCH AND ENGINEERING LAB HANOVER NH HANOVER United States

Personal Author(s):

• Vuyovich,Carrie M.
• Deeb,Elias J.
• Polashenski,Christopher
• Courville,Zoe R.
• Hiemstra,Christopher A.
• Wagner,Anna M.
• Eylander,John B.
• Davis,Robert E.

Report Date:

2018-09-18

Pagination or Media Count:

91.0

Abstract:

The U.S. Department of Defense DoD requires global terrestrial, atmospheric, and environmental awareness to support civil works and warfighting functions. Snow is a critical component of environmental awareness that can change rapidly and impacts DoD operations. Domestically, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers USACE, requires information on snow to develop accurate, timely hydrologic forecasts for water resource allocation, infrastructure design and construction, and flood forecasting. Abroad, DoD requires snow information for mission planning and operations. The purpose of this document is to outline a plan for future research designed to improve snow characterization capabilities and meet identified data needs. A primary goal is to bring snow characterization efforts together in a system-based approach that will result in highly accurate global snow estimation. The intent is to identify specific development pathways which can provide application-oriented information to take full advantage of the existing state of the science, and push the limits of research. The technology gaps for snow operational support were placed into four broad categories for discussion. Short- through long-term plans for improvement were identified and specific goals towards this plan were set.

Descriptors:

• cold regions
• snow
• research management
• remote sensing
• planning
• military research
• technology assessment

Subject Categories:

• Snow, Ice and Permafrost

Distribution Statement:

APPROVED FOR PUBLIC RELEASE