Data for "A Particle-scale Investigation of Snow Density Variation: The Role of Critical Droplet Diameter for Artificial Snow"

Snow density is a fundamental property that determines the thermal and mechanical behavior of snowpack. It is an important variable for snow water equivalent (SWE) estimation, snow management, slope stability analysis, etc. Artificial snow has become essential for most snow slopes due to climate change and influences regional snow hydrological processes. Snow density of artificial snow differs from that of natural snow due to particle-shape effects and distinct solidification processes. This study presents a particle-scale investigation of snow density variation and proposes a conceptual model considering the effect of critical droplet diameter for artificial snow. An outdoor snowmaking experiment and snow particle characterization are conducted to verify this theory. A theoretical method is proposed to predict critical droplet diameter for snowmaking. Results demonstrate that critical droplet diameter determines the percentage of frozen and unfrozen droplets and therefore, influences the snow density. Frozen droplets form the structure of the snow packing. Unfrozen droplets fill the voids of snow packing and increase snow density. Snowmaking experiments confirm that the snow density increases with SMD at constant environmental conditions. The snow density increases as environmental temperature increases when the atomization performance is constant. Snow particle characterization shows larger frozen particles associated with low-density snow. The calculation results suggest that decreasing air temperature, humidity, and solar radiation and increasing ground clearance of the snowmaker increase the critical droplet diameter and lower the snow density. The effect of humidity, solar radiation, and ground clearance on snow density is more remarkable at higher temperatures.