| Term: | Snow pillow |
| Definition: |
An instrument used to measure snow water equivalents. Snow pillows typically have flat stainless steel surface areas. The pillow below this flat surface is filled with antifreeze solution and the pressure in the pillow is related to the water-equivalent depth of the snow on the platform. One great advantage of snow pillows over a snow survey is the frequency of observations, which can be as high as twice per day. NOAAHydrology
1) A window of snow deposited in the immediate lee of a snow fence or ridge. or 2) In hydrologic terms, an instrument used to measure snow water equivalents. Snow pillows typically have flat stainless steel surface areas. The pillow below this flat surface is filled with antifreeze solution and the pressure in the pillow is related to the water-equivalent depth of the snow on the platform. One great advantage of snow pillows over a snow survey is the frequency of observations, which can be as high as twice per day. NOAA-NWS Pillow-like device filled with antifreeze solution and fitted with a manometer which indicates the water equivalent of the snow cover which accumulates on it. WMOMeteoterm Device filled with antifreeze solution and fitted with a pressure sensor which indicates the water equivalent of the snow cover. WMOHydrology An instrument designed to provide a direct estimate of water equivalence of a snowpack by measuring the pressure due to the mass of overlying snow. AMSglossary GCW |