Microwave field measurement of New Zealand alpine snow wetness

Abstract

We present a method of measuring the complex permittivity of alpine snow in the microwave S-band (2.1-4 GHz) using the waveguide method. This method was field trialed in the Southern Alps in New Zealand, where six snow samples of varying melt conditions were measured and their complex permittivity calculated. Combined with snow density data, we estimated the volumetric liquid water content (i.e. snow wetness) of the snow samples. This data allows us to assess the viability of aerial snow depth surveys with the ultra-wideband radar.