| Term: | Drifting snow |
| Definition: |
An ensemble of snow particles raised by the wind to a small height above the ground. The visibility is not sensibly diminished at eye level. WMOMeteoterm
Snow raised from the surface of the earth by the wind to a height of less than 1.5 to 2.0 meters (5 to 6.6 feet) above the surface; it dose not restrict horizontal visibility at 2 meters (6.6 feet) or more above the surface. NSIDCCryosphere Drifting snow is an uneven distribution of snowfall/snow depth caused by strong surface winds. Drifting snow may occur during or after a snowfall. Drifting snow is usually associated with blowing snow. NOAA-NWS Snow entrained and transported within 2 m of the surface by the wind. The height of 2 m is a convenient separator between drifting snow, which does not reduce sensibly the horizontal visibility at eye level, and blowing snow. See windborne snow. IHPGlacierMassBalance Snow that is raised from the earth's surface by the wind to a height of less than 2 metres. ECCCanada Snow raised from the surface of the earth by the wind to a height of less than 6 ft above the surface. In aviation weather observations, drifting snow is not regarded as an obstruction to vision because it does not restrict horizontal visibility at 6 ft or more above the surface. When snow is raised 6 ft or more above the surface, it is classified as blowing snow. AMSglossary An ensemble of snow particles raised by the wind to small heights above the ground. The visibility is not sensibly diminished at eye level (cf. Blowing snow). SPRI GCW |