Analysis of GPR data for snow water equivalent

GPR permits to map over large the thickness and density of snow pack: these parameters are required when the snow water equivalent has to be estimated. The results of GPR, conducted on a slope in the Alps in Northern Italy, are discussed. The data acquisition along several profiles was repeated in different period of the winter season. The GPR data were calibrated with direct observations of density and thickness of the snow cover: this led to estimate the average wave velocity of the snow pack. When the snow is in dry conditions, the wave velocity values can be converted in density values using simple mixing rules. The good accuracy in the estimate of the average density and snow pack thickness by combining electromagnetic data permits to assess the effectiveness of the approach for the snow water equivalent analysis.Copyright 2008, European Association of Geoscientists and Engineers.