Snow Energy Exchanges

• Latent Heat (condensation or sublimation)

  • Are water losses due to sublimation important to snow hydrology?

x

y

y

A

Any time the vapor pressure of the air falls

within the dark blue area, a vapor pressure

deficit exists and sublimation is possible.

In the western U.S., large water losses from high mountain snow packs due to sublimation are common.
• Dry Air (large vapor pressure deficits)
• High Winds (lots of turbulence)

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