Snow Surveying in Canada: A Perspective

Abstract

This paper presents a brief overview of snow surveying in Canada—its evolution, current trends and problems, and future possibilities. The national snow survey network is discussed, particularly with respect to the role played by Environment Canada Problems associated with the measurement and analysis of conventional snow course data, data publication, and data archiving are identified. Airborne gamma ray snow surveys are reviewed as one viable alternative in the future. The feasibility of establishing an operational gamma ray program in Canada is discussed. The potential for using passive microwave and other remotely-sensed data from satellites to estimate and map snow parameters is assessed. Finally the need for a co-ordinated national snow survey program is identified.