Snow Melt Formula

So it is getting warm out and you want to know when the snow is going to be gone? Science can help you! Assuming you have access to some weather data,

of course.

m(t) = b * PDD(t)

Where the melt related to time m(t) is equal to the PDD, or Positive Degree Days, times b, an empirical constant based on location. The formula can be

further broken down to account better for heat flux from solar radiation.

m(t) = (a$Q_{\mathrm{s\varphi }}$+ b) * PDD(t)

By calculating the solar flux over an area and accounting for variances in empirical constants a and b. PDD(t) can be determined manually by counting the

days above 0°C over time t, or by doing a simple integration:

${\int }_0^t$H($T_a$)$T_a$(t)dt

It looks like a mess, but H($T_a$) = 0 when $T_a$ is less than 0°C, and = 1 when $T_a$ is greater-than/equal-to 0°C.

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