snow line

noun

1. the line, as on mountains, above which there is perpetual snow.
2. the latitudinal line marking the limit of the fall of snow at sea level.

snow line

noun

1. the altitudinal or latitudinal limit of permanent snow

snow line

1. The boundary marking the lowest altitude at which a given area, such as the top of a mountain, is always covered with snow.
2. The boundary marking the furthest extent around the polar regions at which there is snow cover. The polar snow lines vary with the seasons.

Word History and Origins

Origin of snow line¹

First recorded in 1825–35

Example Sentences

Fires are not only increasing in size and severity, they are also occurring at higher elevations and well above the snow line.

From Popular-Science

As a spoiled SoCal hiker, I’m used to the snow line being well above 10,000 feet by midsummer.

From Outside Online

The snow line gradually sinks as one advances north-west, reaching only 2000 or 3000 ft. on the Alaskan coast.

From Project Gutenberg

Snow-finches and the Eastern alpine accentor appeared to be resident up to the snow-line.

From Project Gutenberg

Sienite and feldspar succeeded in our descent to the snow line, where we found a felspathic granite.

From Project Gutenberg

On these peaks snow-drifts lie the year round above the "snow-line," as a height over eight or nine thousand feet is called.

From Project Gutenberg

It was the first living creature, save for an occasional vulture, he had seen since leaving the snow-line.

From Project Gutenberg