Snow deposit melt and atmospheric icing : analysis and modelling by weather station data

Abstract: Snow deposit melt should be included when dealing with urban run off. Every winter structures experience atmospheric icing. The objective was to develop physically sound models based on weather station data for estimating snow melt and atmospheric icing. Snow deposit melt may be described by a frustum of a cone, that shrinks with a constant density. The energy budget model includes all major energy terms and precipitation. The modified degree day method includes top and side areas and different degree day coefficients of winter and spring. Volume changes and run off were well predicted. Each winter at least two in cloud icing events occurred at a test mast. Reasonable agreement between the model and the measurements was found, both regarding the timing of the icing events and the overall loads.