snowpack

American  

[snoh-pak] / ˈsnoʊˌpæk /

noun

1. the accumulation of winter snowfall, especially in mountain or upland regions.

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snowpack British  

/ ˈsnəʊˌpæk /

noun

1. a quantity of fallen snow that has become massed together

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snowpack Scientific  

/ snō′păk′ /

1. An area of naturally formed, packed snow that usually melts during the warmer months.

2. The amount of snow that accumulates annually in a mountainous area.

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Etymology

Origin of snowpack

First recorded in 1945–50; snow + pack ¹

Example Sentences

At UC Berkeley’s Central Sierra Snow Laboratory, located at 6,894 feet above sea level near Donner Pass, researchers collect detailed measurements of the snowpack each day.

From Los Angeles Times

The result is a snowpack far smaller than average for this time of year in most parts of the mountains, especially at lower elevations.

From Los Angeles Times

Across the Sierra Nevada, measurements show that California’s snowpack stands at 66% of average for this time of year.

From Los Angeles Times

There are regional differences, with the northern Sierra measuring 50% of average and the southern Sierra at 86% of average — boosted by above-average snowpack on some of the high peaks.

From Los Angeles Times

“That is the classic global warming mountain snowpack signature,” said Daniel Swain, a climate scientist with UC Agriculture and Natural Resources.

From Los Angeles Times