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

The Sierra snowpack measures 48% of average for this time of year, according to state data, down from 73% of average in late February.

From Los Angeles Times

California relies on the Sierra snowpack for about 30% of its water, on average.

From Los Angeles Times

California’s snowpack typically reaches its peak around April 1.

From Los Angeles Times

In the southern Sierra, the snowpack stands at 71% of average, while the northern Sierra is just 28% of average.

From Los Angeles Times

This year, the snowpack in the upper part of the Colorado River watershed stands at 59% of average, and that will mean even less snowmelt feeding the river’s reservoirs, which are declining toward critically low levels.

From Los Angeles Times