A TOOL giving near real-time snow data has now been made available to the public, in the hope it will give recreational users and tourists a better idea of the dangers in back-country areas.Niwa’s Snow and Ice Network (SIN) provides information on snowfall, depth of snowpack, snow melt and climate for 10 alpine sites across New Zealand, including the Murchison Mountains and Castle Mount in Fiordland, Mt Larkins (near Glenorchy) and Albert Burn (near Wanaka).
Funded as part of Niwa’s Climate Network and the National Freshwater Centre, the tool allows users to track snow at SIN sites throughout the season.
Niwa hydrological forecast scientist Dr Jono Conway leads the project which analyses and visualises the snow depth information.
He said the network was 10 years in the making.
"We’ve been gathering data from these high-altitude weather stations for the last decade.
"This information allows us to see whether snow is tracking below or above normal for the time of year.
"We’re hoping this tool will help people and organisations to better understand and plan for winter conditions."
Snow and ice dynamics affected alpine hazards, recreation, tourism, stream ecology, hydro-electric generation, and water availability.
Along with model simulations and remotely sensed images of snow, SIN information was essential to understand, predict, and manage the snow resources and hazards across New Zealand.
Updated measurements were provided every Thursday and plotted on a graph for each location, so people could see how much snow there had been throughout the week and plan for the weekend, he said.
The information could be used by the Department of Conservation and rescue services to monitor hazards and help with forecasting, as well as in university research.
"I’m thrilled that this information is now available to the public.
"It’s something they haven’t had access to before and will be a great tool for winters to come," he said.
