Observing, analyzing and simulating snow surface temperature for cross-country ski race courses

Update Item Information
Publication Type thesis
School or College College of Mines & Earth Sciences
Department Atmospheric Sciences
Author Wagner, Wendy Kay
Title Observing, analyzing and simulating snow surface temperature for cross-country ski race courses
Date 2010-05
Description Ski speed can play an essential role for a cross-country athlete's Olympic performance. Optimal race ski preparation depends on accurate estimates of the snow surface conditions on the race course with sufficient lead time to prepare skis. Snow surface and snowpack observations were collected at the Whistler Olympic Park on the 2010 Olympic Cross-Country racing track during February 2008 and 2009. The majority of observations took place during periods of large-scale high pressure systems over British Columbia. Infrared surface temperature measurements sampled every few meters around the ski racing courses are used to examine spatial variations, while point measurements in the cross-country stadium area document temporal changes. Spatial variability exceeded 10°C over the course and daytime temporal variability exceeded 16°C. Model simulations were performed using the SNOWPACK model. The model simulations of surface temperature were within 1°C of those observed during most of the four day period from the stadium area, except during one afternoon when temperatures were overestimated by 2.5°C. Idealized simulations for clear and overcast skies, ongoing precipitation and slope and aspect were examined. All idealized model simulations were consistent with the available observations.
Type Text
Publisher University of Utah
Subject Snow; Thermal properties; Cross-country ski racing
Dissertation Institution University of Utah
Dissertation Name MS
Language eng
Relation is Version of Digital reproduction of "Observing, analyzing and simulating snow surface temperature for cross-country ski race courses" J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections, QC3.5 2010 .W33.
Rights Management ©Wendy Kay Wagner
Format Medium application/pdf
Format Extent 15,548,617 bytes
Identifier us-etd2,148348
Source Original: University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library Special Collections
Conversion Specifications Original scanned on Epson GT-30000 as 400 dpi to pdf using ABBYY FineReader 9.0 Professional Edition.
ARK ark:/87278/s6cg04pc
Setname ir_etd
ID 193002
Reference URL https://collections.lib.utah.edu/ark:/87278/s6cg04pc