Numerical study of a snow wind scoop

A three-dimensional simulation method for blowing snow was developed by Uematsu and others (1991). Using this simulation method for blowing snow and snowdrift, a wind scoop in snow around a hut was studied. The snow wind scoop was observed by setting a hut in an open snow field. The simulation model reconstructing the wind scoop digitally from meteorological data. The calculated snow depth by the simulation method was compared with the observed snow depth. The computational results showe a good agreement with the observed results. In order to investigate the influence of parameters for the formation of the wind scoop, the model was run by changing some parameters such as wind speed, wind direction and threshold friction velocity. As a result, the wind scoop cannot be created for wind speeds larger than about 20 m/s and for a threshold friction velocity smaller than about 0.1 cm/s.